Obituary of Lorraine F. Foltz

Lorraine Foltz. 91, of Meadville and formerly of Centerville died peacefully on Friday, May 29, 2015 with her family at her side at Meadville Medical Center after a recent illness. She was born at her home in Centerville, PA on November 15, 1923 a daughter of the late Clifford and Ethel Daily Fullom. She met her husband, Robert W. Foltz at the Centerville Methodist Church and they were married on September 19, 1946 at the­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­ Glenwood Methodist Church in Erie, PA. After 46 years of marriage, he preceded her in death on January 26, 1993. She was greatly admired for the loving care she provided him, especially in his years of declining health. She attended schools in Centerville and was a 1941 graduate of Bloomfield High School. During World War II, she was a lab technician at Keystone Ordinance. She retired in 1982 after 23 ½ years as a secretary at Cytemp Specialty Steel Corp. She was a member of the Centerville United Methodist Church, where she served as the organist for more than twenty years. She was previously active in the Centerville Woman’s Club, the Canadohta Senior Center, and the local Red Hat Society. She was a past member of the Acacia Chapter #30 Order of Eastern Star. She enjoyed genealogy and was a member of the Crawford County Historical Society. With help from her niece, Liz Fullom Byroms, they were able to trace their family roots back to the Mayflower becoming members of the Mayflower Society. She was a loving and devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. She and her husband enjoyed many years of church activities and she often accompanied him on the piano or organ while he sang their favorite hymns. They enjoyed many travels together, especially a trip to Hawaii. They were known as good hosts for many family gatherings and New Year’s Eve parties. She created many items from her knitting machine that she enjoyed sharing with others. She took special delight in playing board games with the grandchildren. She competed in spelling bee contests provided by Crawford County Active Aging Senior Center and was proud to be recognized as the 1998 and 2000 senior spelling champion. Her daily routine included the crossword puzzle and watching her favorite shows, Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy. Even as a senior, she embraced technology and used her computer to read numerous newspapers daily and to keep in touch with family and friends. Her cute giggle and keen sense of humor will be missed by those who knew her best. She moved to Wesbury Retirement Community in 2006 where she lived independently until the past year with the support of the Crawford County Office of Aging and Helpmates. She enjoyed participating in the numerous activities and treasured the friendships she made while a Wesbury resident. Her family is grateful to the many special Wesbury and Meadville Medical Center staff for all of the kindnesses and excellent care she received. The support of Dr. Raiber, Dr. Cowley, and Dr. Helgert and Rev. Barry Weyant during her final weeks was especially appreciated. The family was touched by the love and stories shared during hospital visits from Rev. Sam Marchetta and many of the Wesbury staff who cared for her. She is survived by two sons, Gary Foltz and his wife, Denise of Townville; Gordon Foltz and his wife, Vicki of Union City; five grandchildren, Sherri Jardina (Adam), Lauren Foltz (Richard), Amanda Payne (Matthew), Brian Foltz (Nicole), and Breanna Morris (Isaac); three great grandchildren, Olivia and Drew Jardina, and Charlotte Payne; two step-grandchildren, Shannon Rufledge, and Russell “Butch” Boyle; two brothers, Kenneth Fullom and his wife, Shirley of Camp Hill, PA and Ronald Fullom and his wife, Barb of Lima, Ohio; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, and brother, Gerald Fullom and his wife, Doris. The family will receive visitors on Sunday, May 31, 2015 from 2 to 5 pm at Wesbury’s Barco Chapel, 31 N. Park Ave., Meadville, PA. The funeral service to celebrate her life will be held immediately afterwards at 5 pm with Pastor Gary Kinnear officiating. The family suggests that memorials be made to Wesbury’s Cribbs Residential Benevolent Fund, 31 Park Avenue, Meadville, PA 16335.