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Follow us on FacebookJuly 19th, 2018
Mary Wanner Voshell – “Mom”, “Grams”, “Aunt Mary”, “Mary Grams”
Mary Wanner was born June 22, 1929 and was raised by Samuel and Edna Wanner and lived most of her early life in Marcus Hook. As a young girl, Mary began her infamous acrobatic “career” and danced at The World Fair in 1939. Later, Mary met her soon to be husband Donald Voshell at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church at a young people’s social. Mary and Don married and became caretakers of St. Martin’s. Their son Donald Jr was born on January 6th on the Feast of Epiphany, and their second son Matthew was born on August 6th, on the Feast of Transfiguration. The fact that both of her sons were born on special Feasts Days of the Church is a testament of the life that Mary would continue to live. A few years later, the family moved to Boothwyn. Mary and Don enjoyed many happy years together.
Acrobatics and dancing was always a part of Mary’s life. As a young woman, she opened her own Dancing school and later taught Acrobatics at Joan’s Dancing School in Upland. Mary served as President of the Board of Directors for the Cerebral Palsy Club. Mary was also the Sun Oil Toast Mistress. When the boys went to elementary school, Mary became a Teacher’s Aid at Boothwyn Elementary School until she retired. Mary’s coworkers became lifelong friends, who often accompanied her on her world travels to places like Italy, Germany, Austria, Ireland, and Greece. Mary and her sisters Kathryn and Dolores enjoyed frequent road trips to Florida.
“Mom” always put her family above herself. She attended every baseball game, every school function, every sporting event. Family camping was a favorite past time of the Voshell Family in the early years. Frequent visits in the summer to Cape May and Ocean City New Jersey were also fond memories. Family was very important to her. She enjoyed frequent visits with her brothers and sisters and attended every family event she could through the years. She was everyone’s “Aunt Mary”.
Mary was very involved throughout her life with St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. She served on the vestry, the altar guild, and frequently was a reader during the services. She also visited the homebound church members and served them communion. She taught Sunday School, VBS and attended Bible class during the week.
Both Matthew and Don had the joys of living with Mom again when Mary moved in with Matthew 20 years ago, and then spent the last 2 years living with Don. There were many special times spent together during these years – lasting memories for both families and the grandchildren that we will treasure the rest of our lives.
After retirement, Mary found her love of watercolor. She took painting classes weekly and continued her weekly classes up until recently. Many of us are recipients of her beautiful paintings – be it cards or framed paintings, which grace the walls in our homes. Mary always had a love of horses and enjoyed going to polo matches. She really looked forward to the annual outing with her niece Jennifer to the The Hunt on Thanksgiving morning and the Dressage at Devon.
In her latter years, her greatest joy became her grandchildren – fondly and lovingly known as “Grams” to her four grandchildren – Kirstin, Josh, Emily, Donnie. Grams loved to spend time with her grandchildren – whether it was taking them to the symphony, Three Little Bakers, the ballet, museums, polo, Longwood Gardens, Booth Corner Sale, the Marcus Hook Riverfront – or “being dragged” to model home open houses, car shopping, Black Friday shopping, the movies, breakfast, Bermuda. She became “Mary Grams” to other young children within extended families as she just had that way with little ones.
Mary was a special person. She lived a vibrant life and carried her youthful spirit and love for life and others wherever she went. She truly was loved by all that knew her. We are blessed to have had her in our lives and will miss her dearly.
Her funeral service will be held on Saturday, July 21st at 10am at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Chester, PA. Friends and family are invited to call from 9am-10am in Church. Burial will follow in Lawn Croft Cemetery. For further memorialization and condolences please visit www.jwardfuneralhome.com
My sympathy to all the family. I went to Chester High a few years behind Mary. I thought she looked great at the family reunion in May, so I was shocked to hear of her death.