Mary Baer

Mary Edith Baer, 87, a life-long resident of Chambersburg, PA, died Tuesday morning, February 5, 2013 at the home of her daughter. Born December 21, 1925 in Chambersburg, she was the daughter of the late Clarence E. and Minnie F. Bickley Smith. A 1943 graduate of the former Chambersburg High School, Mary Edith excelled as a mother, homemaker, and home lover. She wasn’t just a homeowner, she loved her home, a former carpentry shop, which had belonged initially to her grandparents and later her parents. She was a member of Heidelberg United Church of Christ in Marion where served as a Sunday school teacher and taught in the children’s nursery for many years. She cared for her blind mother at home for many years while being a homemaker and mother. While attending high school she began employment at the former Greens Record Shop. She then moved on to employment at the former Lyons Auto Parts, Penn Hall, Letterkenny Army Depot, and eventually long-time employment with Dr. Charles Shapiro and Dr. G.P. Vanbuskirk.

Mary Edith was a “small town girl” at heart who knew Chambersburg in and out including back streets, alleys (which she loved), old stores, the people who reside here and their relatives. She read the Public Opinion thoroughly until loss of sight prevented it. As some say “You can take a person out of Chambersburg, but you can’t take Chambersburg out of the person!” She loved Chambersburg’s small town atmosphere and the local stores where everyone knew your name and trusted you to take clothes home and return them for a loved one who could not go out to a store. She loved and supported the small town grocery stores unlike the large chains. In later years of her life she would however find enjoyment in going to Weis Market where she would spend hours reading labels, shopping with a friend, and talking to other shoppers she met and the store employees she had come to know. She enjoyed dancing, reading, doing wool crewel embroidery and crossword puzzles, and growing many varieties of all kinds of houseplants under fluorescent lights. She had a great love for all types of music, especially 1930’s and 1940’s, and she like playing her pianos.

She is survived by her daughter, Susan E. Shepperd, RNBS of Chambersburg; grandson Paul W. Shepperd IV of Philadelphia; and her niece, Sandra Lou Glessner of Hagerstown, MD. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death on May 4, 2004 by her husband of 53 years, Henry H. Baer, whom she married December 9, 1950 as well as a brother, E.B. Smith on August 4, 2004. By those few who were lucky enough to really know her, she will surely be missed!

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM Saturday, February 16, 2013 in the Chapel of Thomas L. Geisel and Cremation Center, 333 Falling Spring Road, Chambersburg, PA with Rev. Adam Leeper and Rev. Darrell Baer officiating. Interment will follow at Lincoln Cemetery. There will be a viewing from 9:00-10:00 AM Saturday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Mary Edith’s name may be made to Heidelberg Church, 166 Colorado Street, PO Box 381, Marion, PA 17235.