Obituary of Anabel Lee Zahner

Anabel Lee (Bangs) Zahner, walked humbly into heaven on Monday, May 26, 2014. As wife, mother, grandmother, daughter and sister, she possessed a quiet grace and humor, whimsical smile, empathetic heart and endless creativity. Born on February 3, 1934, to Ralph and Elda Boyle Bangs in Spartansburg, PA, she spent her childhood on a farm and it was during this time her love of nature and bountiful gardens began. Raised during the depression with 11 brothers and sisters, she learned frugality and to sew and cook. She graduated from Waterford HS in 1953 and then married the love of her life, Raymond Earl Zahner, on June 25, 1954. Having been given so many creative gifts, she was an incredible homemaker. She taught others to upholster furniture, preserve foods and was a custom seamstress to many. Anabel’s entrepreneurial spirit was evidenced in the small businesses she created from crafting. She sewed custom Barbie/Ken clothing which she sold at Christmas time during 1960s. She taught upholstery at the Tic Toc center. She opened Zahner’s Upholstery in 1970 and began quilting in the 1980s. She always shared her crafting expertise with others and passed these gifts on to her children and grandchildren. Her family has some of the most beautiful quilts in their homes. In 1993 she started a business selling some of the best tasting relishes, salsa and jellies and her cookbook, Made with Love, was known all over NW PA. Anabel won numerous awards for her crafts and cooking starting in high school as the Erie County Cherry Pie contest winner. Anabel was a member of St. Paul’s United Church of Christ for 45 years and then for 13 years at The Presbyterian Church. Anabel always helped the poor and those in need around her. She blessed everyone around her and her energy and love will be missed. She is survived by her husband Raymond Zahner of Titusville; her children, Ron Zahner and fiancée Marianne Challinor of Springdale, PA; Gayle Walters and husband Steven of Ypsilanti, MI; Debbie Weidner and husband Rob of Sanford, NC; Sharon Horger and husband John of Keego Harbor, MI; Grandchildren: Bethany Zahner, Justin Weidner and wife Erin, Zach Weidner and Amy Weidner, Zara Walters; step grandchild, Michael Smith; great grand-children, Anakin Weidner and Nevaeh Walters; sisters, Rose Rollison, Betty King, Marjorie Jackson and Patricia Stiffler; brothers, Richard Bangs and John Bangs. Deceased siblings are Gladys Sheets, George Bangs, Mary Rowe, Turah Bangs and Arthur Bangs. Friends will be received by the family at the Gordon B. Garrett Funeral Home on Thursday from 10 to 11 AM with the service to follow conducted by Mrs. Jacqueline Wagner, officiating. Interment will be in Woodlawn Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church 216 N. Franklin St., Titusville, PA 16354. If you would like to leave a condolence for the family go to garrettfuneralhomeinc.com. May your soul be blessed, may your body rest on the mountain where you were born may your spirit soar, where there’s joy ever more may you find your way in peace and there’s no more harm in your savior’s arms see you fly away in the sky did you hear the call of angels one and all may you find your way in peace (EastMountain South)