2021
Obituary Mary Ellen (Donaldson) Aker, 103 left family and friends on August 26, 2021. Born in Coaldale, PA, Mary was the second oldest child of the late David E. and Nellie Donaldson. Mary was preceded in death by her beloved husband, J. Arthur Aker and her siblings Herchel, James, and Thomas. Mary was born on a farm in Western Pennsylvania, and was taught the meaning of a hard day’s work at a very early age. After graduating from High School, Mary wanted to pursue her dream to be a nurse. It was challenging for her parents to agree, but she did leave home, go to the big city of Philadelphia and became a member of the 1940 nursing class at Methodist Hospital. It was during this time that she met the love of her life Art. In spite of being in the throes of WWll, Art and Mary were married in September of 1941, and remained forever in love until Art passed in 2000. They lived in Philadelphia, and then Leedom Estates, PA until 1951 when they moved to Prospect Park, PA and spent the next 20 some years raising their three children. After retirement, Art and Mary moved back to Mary’s home of Everett, PA to again enjoy the beautiful countryside that she so loved. Mary’s love for Art was rivaled only by the love she had for her family. Mary is survived by her dear sister Babe (Eliza Muller) and her beloved children: John A. Aker III (Suzanne), Barbara Kurtz (Marc), and her grandchildren, Jason Aker, Shannon Guyer, Jacque Mendenhall, Marc Kurtz Jr., Kristen Kurtz and 7 great grandchildren. Mary taught her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren how to love unconditionally, to do the right thing and to be their own persons. She also taught them all the beauty of nature and an appreciation of how the simple things in life are much more important than all of the material things combined. Mary worked at Taylor Hospital in the Maternity Unit where she insisted that preemie babies did indeed have a chance of survival. This was before NICU’s and she insisted that with feeding them with an eyedropper, keeping them warm and providing human love and touch, they could live. There were several babies that owed their lives to Mary. Mary was deeply religious, civic minded, and participated in Girl Scout activities well beyond her daughter’s membership in the organization. Mary was President of the Prospect Park Women’s Club and an active member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Norwood, and later at Zion Lutheran Church in Everett, PA. In her retirement years she enjoyed painting, drawing, needlework, and jigsaw puzzles and coloring. She was a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Coatesville, PA, Mary lived her life “her” way. She was always the “boss” and let everyone know how things were to happen, and when. Mary left us on August 26, 2021 peacefully, without pain and when she was ready. Mary will be missed, never forgotten, always loved and forever present in spirit. Relatives and friends are invited to her Visitation September 2 10:00 AM at The Donohue Funeral Home, 43 W. Lancaster Ave., Downingtown, PA 19335, followed by her Funeral Service at 10:30 AM. Interment Edgewood Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to: Riddle Healthcare Foundation, 1068 West Baltimore Pike Media, PA 19063. Please reference Mary Aker in your contribution so the funds will be directed to the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit). Online gifts may also be sent to: www.mainlinehealth.org/ways-to-give/riddle:healthcare-foundation/make-a-gift-online To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mary Ellen (Donaldson) Aker, please visit our floral store.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Mary Ellen Donaldson Aker 2021.
Death notice for the town of: Morton, state: Pennsylvania