E. Mae Gish

E. Mae Gish

E. Mae Gish, 102, formerly of Elizabethtown died in her sleep on Saturday, November 14, 2015 at Landis Homes in Lititz. Born in Strasburg, she was the daughter of the late William H. and Katie (Kreider) Hess. She was the wife of the late J. Martin Gish, who died in 2005.

She graduated from Strasburg High School in 1930. Mae was a charter member of Community Bible Church of Marietta where she served as president of Women’s Fellowship, honorary member of Elizabethtown Flower Club, and Elizabethtown Senior Citizens.

She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother who loved the Lord. In her early years as a farmer’s wife, she spend many hours gardening and traveling to Central Market of Lancaster to sell their produce. When her children became school age, she worked part time as a cook for the former Patton Trade School of Elizabethtown. After moving from the farm, she was employed for 11 years (1958-1969) as head baker and dessert maker at Elizabethtown Area High School. Upon retirement from the school, she was occupied with dressmaking and custom draperies.  Mae also worked part time for over 30 years as seamstress for Gehman’s Furniture & Interiors, Inc., of Mount Joy.  Many summers were spent at Sandy Cove Bible Conference were she volunteered her sewing talent. She also created many works of art through ceramics, crocheting, knitting, tatting, needlepoint, and cross-stitch. Mae loved flowers and always had a window full of African violets.

Surviving is a daughter Janet A. Martin of Marietta, son James W. Gish, husband of Nancy (Gehman) of Mt. Joy, and daughter-in-law Shirley Gish Stauffer, wife of Wayne of Lancaster; five grandchildren; and 8 great grandchildren. In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by a son Carl M. Gish, brother Frank K. Hess, and two sisters, Kathryn Hess and Ruth Hershey.

She was the last of her immediate family. Mae’s family would like to thank Dr. Ginder and the staff at Manheim House at Landis Homes for the loving, kind, and compassionate care given to her during her time there.

Friends and Family are invited to celebrate the life of Mae at 1:30pm on Thursday, November 19, 2015 at Miller-Finkenbinder Funeral Home & Crematory, 130 N. Market St., Elizabethtown, PA 17022 with Pastor David Forwood and Reverend Jan Gingrich officiating. A viewing will be held prior to the service from 12:30-1:30pm. Interment will follow at Bossler Mennonite Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in Mae’s memory to the Landis Homes Caring Fund, 1001 E. Oregon Rd., Lititz, PA 17543 or to Community Bible Church Building Fund – Matching Gift, PO Box 180, Marietta, PA 17547

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