Obituary of Elizabeth Emily Mahonske

Elizabeth Emily "Cleary" Mahonske, of Blossburg, passed away on Friday July 17, 2015 at age 101. She was born in 1914 in Canada, the daughter of George Walter Cleary of Norborne Missouri, and Hester Vanderburg of Simcoe, Ontario. Elizabeth grew up initially in Norborne and later in Simcoe. In adult life, she attended business college, and worked in Hamilton, Ontario for 20 years. There, in 1953, she met her future husband, Adam Charles Mahonske, a native of Blossburg who was then pursing his career as a consultant in the steel industry in Rochester, Michigan, and the Great Lakes region. In Rochester, they raised their only child, Adam Jr., and a teenage daughter, Connie, from Adam's first marriage. In 1968, the family moved to Blossburg, and still has the same home. Adam Sr. passed away in 1970. Elizabeth worked at the Mansfield University Library in cataloging for 14 years until her retirement in 1982 at age 68. Her great joys in life were designing and sewing beautiful clothes, knitting, quilt making, cooking wonderful meals for family and friends, taking care of family pets and the outdoor wildlife, music, improving her home, and her son Adam, a college teacher and performing pianist in Baltimore. Strong willed, for many years she enjoyed her independence in her Blossburg home. Her final fifteen years were spent living with her son in Baltimore during the academic year, and in Blossburg during summer and winter breaks. She had a joyful 100th birthday celebration in Wellsboro in 2014. Her remarkably good health was marred in her final year by illness, and she was cared for by her son at home until she passed. She is survived by her son, along with her step-daughter and family. A memorial gathering for family and friends will be held at the First Presbyterian Church, 130 Main Street, Wellsboro, PA on Sunday, August 16th at 3:00 pm. A reception will follow the service in the fellowship hall. In lieu of flowers, consider a donation in her name to Animal Care Sanctuary of Wellsboro and East Smithfield. Donations can be made online, or by other means. Buckheit Funeral Chapel and Crematory, Inc., 637 S. Main St., Mansfield, PA is assisting the family. www.buckheitfcandcrematory.com