Obituaries Mary Elizabeth Pritchard Persing | Mary Elizabeth Pritchard Persing |
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 Mary Elizabeth Pritchard Persing, 83, of 3967 SR 417, Cooperstown, passed away at 1:30 pm Thursday, February 18, 2010, at UPMC Northwest in Seneca.Born May 31, 1926 in Oil City, she was a daughter of the late Orrin Nelson and Dorothy Elizabeth Snyder Pritchard. Mrs. Persing graduated from Oil City Senior High School. During her last year of high school, she worked at Kenney’s Shoe Store and after graduation at Brody’s Exclusive Dress Shop in Oil City and at the Oakland School Cafeteria. The family enjoyed spending time at ball games, wrestling, snow mobiling, family camping and also “The Gypsy Campiers” as they called themselves. Mary also enjoyed attending all activities of her grandchildren. She made many afghans and quilts and made sure each grandchild had one. Even in her later years, she made baby quilts for each of the great grandchildren. Mrs. Persing was a member of the Old Lamey Church until they built a new church and combined the two into the Oakland United Methodist Church and continued her membership. On August 30, 1947 she married Rexford M. Persing, a son of the late Peter P. and Flossie Mae Persing. He preceded her in death on April 1, 2006. Surviving are two sons, Larry Rexford Persing and wife Jeanne Marie of Seneca, and Dennis Lee Persing and wife Shirley Ann of Oil City; one son-in-law, John Michael Heffernan of Franklin; 8 grandchildren, D.J. Persing and wife Melissa of Franklin, Jeffrey Alan Persing of Oil City, Lisa Renee Brady and husband Michael of Franklin, Leigh-Anne Williams and husband Matthew of Franklin, Rebecca Elizabeth Moss and husband Heath of Erie, Kiley Rae Fratus and husband Neil of Dempseytown, Shawna Marie Leighty and husband Brad of Washington PA, and Lindsey Marie Heffernan of Franklin; 13 great grandchildren, Zachary David, Ty Joseph, Clare Marie, Devin Michael, Keaira Ann, Gracie Michelle, Brayden Paul, Caitlyn Nicole, Elizabeth Jane, Madolyn Elizabeth, Nathaniel Thomas, Hudson Rexford and Holland Reid. She was also expecting a great granddaughter and great grandson in the near future. Also surviving are a sister, Anna Mae Speer; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by a daughter Linda Kay Heffernan, a great grandson, Joshua Lane Leighty, and two brothers, Wayne Pritchard and Ralph Pritchard. Friends may call at the Morrison Funeral Home on Saturday from 4 to 7 pm. Funeral services will be held at the Oakland United Methodist Church at 5 pm Sunday with the Rev. Dr. Edward P. Saxman, pastor, officiating. Interment will be in Lamey Cemetery. |