Mary E. Moreland

Mary E. Moreland

June 04, 1922 - August 29, 2012

Mary E. Moreland

June 04, 1922 - August 29, 2012

Obituary

Mary Eleanor (Depfer) Moreland
6-4-1922 to 8-29-2012

Mary Eleanor (Depfer) Moreland, was born on June 4, 1922 in York, Penna. Her father worked in the transportation department of York Lock and Safe Company. At Gettysburg College, her friends nicknamed her €˜Mellie’. She was a French major and taught in Junior High for a couple of years after college. She sang in the college choir with F. Elwood €˜Woody’ Moreland. Many dates were on the Civil War Battlefield at Gettysburg. Woody & Mellie were married in August of 1945. Woody completed an accelerated program for seminarians (due to the war) in November of that year. Woody was ordained and they began his first pastorate at a three-point parish in Maryland. David was born during while they served this congregation in 1947.

They accepted a call to a two-point parish at Shrewsbury, Pa in 1949. John was born in 1950 and Ann in 1955. The next call was to Spring Grove, Pa a paper mill town. It was there that Mellie began to teach 1st grade while she went to Millersville Teachers College to update her credential. They bought a travel trailer and made several family trips including a cross country trip to California in 1962.

The next call came from Orange, California. In 1965, the family moved to sunny California. Mellie substituted in the Orange Unified School District for a year before being hired at LaVeta Elementary in 1966, where she taught first grade and a Kindergarten/first combination until her retirement in 1984.

After 10 years in Orange, another pastoral call in 1975 had come to serve Lutheran Church of the Cross in Laguna Hills where they were for another 10 years. They moved to Mission Viejo in 1975. In 1979, they bought a cabin in Big Bear Lake that became a fun retreat for the entire family.

In retirement, Mellie & Woody traveled a lot driving across country, flying to Europe, Germany, the Holy Land, and Hawaii. They loved to entertain family and friends were always welcome. Mellie was Mom-Mom (Grandma) extraordinaire. She loved taking care of her grandchildren! She also did Pre School Chapels, taught English as a Second Language, served on Altar Guild, participated in Bible studies and put on wonderful dinners for the Church Council and the Altar Guild.

In January 2002, a stroke took out Mellie’s right side. She worked hard at Rehab and writing with her left hand. Almost 3 years later, her husband, love of her life and full time care giver, Woody died and a move to assisted care was necessary. Mellie moved into Quaker Gardens in February of 2005 and started a sweet phase of life. She enjoyed lots of the activities and events including exercise class, choir, current events and the entertainment programs. She became very close to her table mates and neighbors. She appreciated the caregivers, therapists and nursing staff so very much.

In June of this year, her family gathered to celebrate her 90th birthday for a whole week a glorious time of sharing, laughing, singing, and reminiscing.

August 3, Mellie suffered a major stroke which left her unable to move or speak. She went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday evening, August 29.

Her legacy is one of optimism and encouragement. She was one who could always find the good in any person or situation. She worked hard gave her all to every task. Her smile was legendary and her story-telling was spell binding. She touched family and friends with her love and caring.

Services: 6:45pm Sept 10 at Quaker Gardens
and also 11am Sept 24 at Our Redeemer Lutheran, Garden Grove.
Burial: Greenmount Cemetery, York, Penna

Survivors:
Brother-in-Law: Lester Moreland
Sister-in-Law: Ruth Sweitzer
Sons: David (Janice) Moreland
John (Lyn) Moreland
Daughter: Ann (Lynn) Badertscher
7 grandchildren: Thomas (Rachel) Moreland
John (Alex) Moreland
Rebecca (Matthew) Anderson
Courtney (Matthew) Meredith
Heidi Badertscher
Brittany Moreland
Katie Badertscher
5 great-grandsons: Samuel Moreland
Oliver Moreland
Jacob Moreland
Michael Moreland
Charles Moreland

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