Martha Lorraine Sealy, 65 of Summer Mountain Road, Spring Mills, died at her residence on Thurs. June 12, 2003.
Born in Bradford April 15, 1938, she was the daughter of Max and Vivian Ungemah. Her father passed away in 1969. Her mother, "Viv" or "Gram" or "Great Gram" resides in Centre Crest in Bellefonte.
On April 13, 1956, she married Robert G. Sealy
During her childhood years, she loved to play outside and loved playing with her sister, Dorene, whether it was "cowboys and indians", or hide and seek. She was fond of relating stories of her youth to her family and friends. And her family and friends enjoyed hearing them.
She was a 1956 graduate of Bradford High School.
Upon moving to Jersey Shore in 1960, she became involved in several sororities in the community. She made many friends during her time in that area, friends who will never forget her smile and outgoing personality.
When she moved to the Spring Mills area in 1970, Marty made friends quickly, seeing many of them at school activities for her children. For several years in the 1980s, she owned and operated a small gift shop "Palmer House" out of her home and later in Centre Hall. She had good daste in decorating and crafts and enjoyed sharing and helping people who came to her shop.
Marty also very much liked to have tea with friends in the area, many from Millheim and Centre Hall areas. It was during these teas or lunches that she got caught up on the latest from the valley.
She is survived by four children: Robin Jane Ciarrocchi of Front Royal, VA; Susan Lynn Glunt of Bellefonte; Karen Sealy Haas of Spring Mills; and Robert M. Sealy of Howard. Also surviving is her sister Drene Snell of Eureka, and her chiildren Cathy, Jennifer and David all of California.
The children remember her wit and friendliness with classmates of theirs. There was always room at the suppper table for another plate. She enjoyed traveling and was particularly fond of family vacations to California, and Yellowstone Park. Many stories of long trips were told and re-told at the dinner table or on special occasions.
It was the special occasions on which she thrived. She loved having family over for Thanksgiving dinner or on Christmas Day. "The more the merrier" she always said. The house record for people at one meal was 26. And no one ever went away hungry.
It was love for her grandchildren that got her through these past years. She was the proud grandmother of 11 grandchildren: Daniel, Aaron, and Brian Ciarrocchi of Front Royal; Katey, Alison, Demming and Alex Glunt of Bellefonte; Rachel and Sarah Haas of Spring Mills; and Olivia and Victoria Sealy of Howard.
She was always asking about the progress and activities of her grandkids, especially schoolwork and sports. She attended as many events as she could, a play, a game, a meet. And she loved every minute of it.
Several times, she flew west to see her sister and spend time with her nieces and nephew. Her photo album always grew quite a bit when she visited Dorene and the laughter was constant when the sisters got together either here or in california.
When she had time she would tend to her plants and flowers which surrounded her home. She loved watching hummingbirds at the feeder and always made sure other birds and wildlife were taken care of. Inside her home, she had two cats, Mouse and Miss Kitty, and her dog Chrissy.
She spent a good deal of her time reading and doing crossword puzzles. Whe always had a book on the nightstand by her bed.
Visitation for Marty will be held Thursday, June 19, 2003 from 2 to 3 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at Mark D. Heintzelman Funeral Service, 226 S. Pennsylvania Ave. Cente Hall, PA Funeral services will be held on Friday, June 20, 2003 at 10a.m. at St. Luke's Lutheran Church, 301 N. Pennsylvania Ave. Centre Hall, PA. Interment will be in Fairview Cemetery, Millheim, Burial will be at the convenince of the family. Because of her love of animals and her fondness of books, memorial contributions may be made to a local animal shelter or library. Contributions may also be made to the charity of your choice.