Obituaries

Shirley A. Lemon, 80

December 10, 2013

Shirley A. Lemon, 80, passed away in the loving presence of family on Tuesday, December 10, 2013 after a brief illness at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia. She is now in the presence of God.

She is survived by her soul mate and husband of 58 years, Reuel Dean Lemon. She is also survived by three children, Kimberly Anne and her husband, John MacIver of Lancaster, Dean Bruce Lemon of Lancaster and Marcus James Lemon of Washington D.C. and a sister, Nancy Stotz of Lancaster. She had four grandchildren, Meg and Morgan MacIver and Drew and Taylor Lemon.

Shirley was proceeded in death by an infant son, Paul, two sisters: Dawne Ferich and Joanne Broome and a brother, Elwood Pickell, Jr.

She was born in East Petersburg, Lancaster County to the late Mary Myles Pickell and Elwood Pickell, Sr. She graduated from Columbia High School and Millersville State College in 1955 where she earned a degree in education. She earned advanced certification in special education from Elizabethtown College.
Shirley was a long-time educator in the Warwick and Manheim Township School Districts, and had taught second grade at Kissel Hill Elementary School in Lititz.

After retirement from teaching she served as Christian Education Director at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Lancaster. She also served as a deacon and started the St. Peter’s Pre-school. Shirley was also the founder of the Heartwood Program in Manheim Twp. to reach at-risk youth and teach values such as respect, trust and responsibility. Last month, she was honored by the Manheim Township Police Department for her 20-years of volunteer work on the Youth Aid Panel. She was also honored by the Fulton with the Women Who Care Award for volunteerism.

Shirley loved the family Christmas tree farm in Herndon, Pennsylvania and spent many happy hours with her husband playing Canasta and enjoying the farm’s splendid view. She loved being with her grandchildren and nurtured them. Shirley never took a music lesson, but could play the piano by ear.
She partnered with her husband Dean in the family business, Dean’s Trees for 54 years.
Shirley was a gentle person who thought only the kindest thoughts of everyone she met. She once wrote: “You are the wellspring on your own happiness. Happiness resides within you. Keep dreaming and you will never be lost.”

Friends will be received by her family on Monday, December 16, 2013 from 5-7PM at the Charles F. Snyder Jr. Funeral Home & Crematory, 3110 Lititz Pike, Lititz, PA. Friends may call again on Tuesday, December 17, 2013 at St. Peters Evangelical Lutheran Church, 10 Delp Rd., Lancaster, PA 17601 from 930- 11AM, with the Funeral Service to follow at 11AM. Private interment in St. Peters Lutheran Cemetery. The family requests that flowers not be sent, instead making a donation in Shirley’s name to the St. Peter’s Lutheran PreSchool, 10 Delp Road, Lancaster, PA 17601, or St. Peters Evangelical Lutheran Church at the same address.

Leave a condolence on this Memorial Page


Be sure to include your name

Please note that your condolence will not appear on this page until it is reviewed. Condolences usually appear within 24 hours of being submitted.

Condolences to the Family

February 14, 2016

  Mrs. Lemon was my 2nd grade teacher at Kissel Hill Elementary, she was a “Class” act and always in the company of a beautiful and welcoming smile that was 2nd too none. My parents attended Millersville with Shirley and my father graduated with her in 55′ and both my Parents spoke very Highly of her… Mrs. Lemon you were 1 of a kind and will always have a place in my heart for the kindness you displayed towards me as a young boy.                Jonathan D. Batturs

December 27, 2013

Mrs. Lemon was my 2nd Grade teacher at Kissel Hill Elementary back in 1975.  She taught me reading & math and I remember her dearly. My father, Dean W. Hartman had Mr. Dean Lemon as a teacher at MTHS class of 64.
With Deepest Sympathy to the family, Dean T. Hartman – 12451 Limestone Court, Ft. Myers, FL 33905
 

December 20, 2013

I met Mrs.Lemon when I enrolled first my nephew Zach in the pre school at St.Peters.And then we remained there as I enrolled my grandson Taylor Good and then my own daughter was enrolled Olivia Stauffer.At the time Mrs Lemon was our director and her grandchildren went there with Olivia.She was the happiest and most loving person to every child that attended that nursery.She was sadly missed when she left there.
But our prayers and condolances to all of the Lemon family.I also know how much your family means to my nephew Todd Hoar.He took her leaving very hard.He said you were all like a second family to him.
May God Bless All Of You ! And may you find peace in knowing she is with our Lord and in a much better place!!!
Dolly and Olivia Stauffer
 
 

December 20, 2013

It has been over twenty years since my children attended St. Peter’s Preschool, but I will always remember the kind and loving manner of Mrs. Lemon.  I am saddened to hear of her passing, and I hope it brings the family comfort in knowing that she touched the lives of many people and will be remembered as a loving and giving person.
Sincerely,
Jeannie Kontis and family

December 20, 2013

Please accept our deepest sympathy.  What a wonderful person.  She had both our sons at Kissel Hill Elementary, they loved her as we did.  She was kind, understanding and made every child feel special.  She will be missed by all.  Heaven has received a great teacher and special angel.  The Flickinger Family

December 15, 2013

I am so sorry to read of Shirley’s passing. I taught first grade at Kissel Hill while she taught second. I always enjoyed her positive attitude and her ideas to help children learn. Shirley and I were also in the same bridge group. I will always remember her kind smile and warm personality. My deepest sympathy to her family.
Kay Shanaman

December 15, 2013

I was so sorry to hear of the loss of your Mom. She was a lovely lady and I was so glad to have had the opportunity to know her. You and the family are in my thoughts and prayers. Enrico Martini

December 14, 2013

 
Dear Dean, Kim and Family,
 
It was my privilege to work with Shirley at St. Peter’s Preschool.  She was truly an inspiration to me in many ways and memories of her gentle, loving nature will stay forever with me.  Her passion and love for all children, especially those with special needs, books and her religious faith were several things we had in common.  I consider the days I worked as a teacher and Director of St. Peter’s Preschool one of the highlights of my life. I am grateful for Shirley’s vision and her ability to create a warm and loving environment for young children to grow and learn.  St. Peter’s Preschool continues to maintain the excellent reputation and recognition that it deserves as Shirley’s legacy.   Shirley was probably the most positive person I’ve ever met.  No matter what challenges we faced in the growing preschool, she always seemed to deal with them as an opportunity for improvement and growth.  I’ve also always admired her devotion to her husband, children and grandchildren.   I think of her often and with great affection.  I know she will be missed by many.
 
Please accept my deepest sympathy and may you all find comfort in loving memories and knowing that she has reached her journey to eternity in God’s kingdom.
 
With love and prayers,  Donna Rapp
 
 

December 14, 2013

Dear Mr. Lemon
I never knew your wife, but it sounds like she was a very beautiful lady. I am saddened for you and your family’s loss. I was in the MTHS Class of ’78 and you were my absolute favorite teacher and mentor. You most likely don’t remember me. I learned a lot from you, and still think about you fondly. 
God Speed,
Kathy Weidensaul Barge   (Wyoming)

December 14, 2013

Dear Kim and family      I am very sorry for your loss.You are in my thoughts and prayers. Cynthia Pickell

December 13, 2013

Dear Lemon Family,
I was a very apprehensive 1st grader at John Beck Elementary school but my teacher, Mrs. Pickell, helped me with this.  I was a student in her class the day that we learned President Kennedy had been assasinated and she helped the whole class deal with what was going on.  I was thrilled to learn at the end of my first grade year that she had decided to teach 2nd grade the next year, so I had her 2 years in a row, except her name was changing to Mrs. Lemon.  She was always my favorite elementary school teacher.
Marianne DeVerter Sheely

December 13, 2013

Deepest sympathy and sadness over he loss of your mom, grandma and wife.  I met Mrs. Lemon when Kim and I were in college and I adored her.  I will always remember the gentle kindness in both her actions the way she spoke.  She was a genuinely lovely person who was truly devoted to her children and family.  She has now found continued happiness and peace with God.
Love, Linda, Michael and Matthew Sheaffer

December 13, 2013

Dear Kim and family,
We are very sorry about your Mom.  We know how difficult it is to lose someone so dear to you.   Remembering all the wonderful times you had with her will help  you get thru this. 
Take care.
The Staff of West Lancaster Animal Hospital

December 13, 2013

We are so sorry to hear of your loss, our thoughts and prayers are with your family.
The Red Rose Sanitation Solutions, Inc. team

December 12, 2013

Please accept our heartfelt sympathy over the great loss of your beloved mother, wife.  As a small child growing up in the same neighborhood, I always felt the tremendous outpouring of love emanating from  Mrs. Lemon’s kind heart and soul, whenever I would visit. She always had a way of making me feel like family, with her gentle smile, humility, and loving ways; she has left an imprint on my heart. The way she always cared for others just came naturally. Now, she is resting in the presence of the Lord, and her prayers for all her loved ones will continue to be a blessing. May her memory be eternal!!!
Love,
The Snyder family (Brian,(Desi mavrides), Irene, and Ian) 

Visitation
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
9:30 AM - 11:00 AM
St. Peters Evangelical Lutheran Church
10 Delp Rd.
Lancaster, PA 17601
Map and Directions

Get Maps and Directions >
Visitation
Monday, December 16, 2013
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory
3110 Lititz Pike
Lititz, PA 17543
Map and Directions

Get Maps and Directions >
Services
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
11:00 AM
St. Peters Evangelical Lutheran Church
10 Delp Rd.
Lancaster, PA 17601
Map and Directions

Get Maps and Directions >
Send Flowers Online

Offering Lancaster, PA funeral services for over 75 years.

Our six funeral homes in Lancaster County makes it easy and convenient to make arrangements and host services close to home.

  • Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home Downtown Lancaster
  • 414 East King St.
  • 717-393-9661
  • Charles F. (Chip) Snyder, Jr. Funeral Director / Supervisor
  • more info
  • Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home Lititz Pike
  • 3110 Lititz Pike
  • 717-560-5100
  • Charles F. (Chad) Snyder, III Funeral Director / Supervisor
  • more info
  • Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home Millersville
  • 441 North George St.
  • 717-872-5041
  • Mark D. Burkholder Funeral Director / Supervisor
  • more info
  • Spacht-Snyder Family Funeral Home Lititz, PA
  • 127 South Broad St.
  • 717-626-2317
  • Jacqueline Adamson Funeral Director / Supervisor
  • more info
  • Bachman-Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory Strasburg, PA
  • 7 South Decatur Street
  • 717-687-7644
  • Norman T. Mable Funeral Director / Supervisor
  • more info
  • Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home Willow Street, PA
  • 2421 Willow Street Pike
  • 717-464-4600
  • Kelly Gramola Townsend Funeral Director / Supervisor
  • more info