Catherine M. Longenecker, 78, of Lititz entered into rest on Saturday, January 15, 2011. Born in Quarryville, she was the daughter of the late Jacob and Florence Shirk Eckman. For 53 years, she was married to Forney Longenecker and was a loving wife who exemplified the virtues of Proverbs 31 wife and mother.

Catherine was a member of Middle Creek Church of the Brethren.

Her Christian Faith and her family were what she valued most of her life.

She enjoyed cooking, knitting, feeding the birds, and jigsaw puzzles. Most of all, she loved spending time with her grandchildren. She was a long time volunteer at Lancaster Regional Medical Center for 26 years

Catherine will be greatly missed by her children and adoring grandchildren.

Surviving besides her husband are five children: Cathy married to David Stehman, Mary Kay married to Jeffrey McMichael, Carole married to Michael Manderewicz, John married to Sandra Finefrock and Audrey married to James Maisel. There are twelve grandchildren: Katie, Emily, Kari, Melissa, Allison, Eric, Madison, Julia, Chelsea, Alena, Aaron and Camryn.

She is also survived by a sister, Helen Townsley and brother, Robert Eckman. She was preceded in death by a brother, Melvin.

Funeral Services will be held at Middle Creek Church of the Brethren, 351 West Middle Creek Road, Lititz, PA on Thursday, January 20, 2011 at 10:00AM. Interment will be held at Longenecker's Cemetery, Rapho Township at 1:30PM. There will be a viewing at the Charles F. Snyder Jr. Funeral Home & Crematory, 3110 Lititz Pike, Lititz, PA on Wednesday night, January 19, 2011 from 6:30- 8:30PM and on Thursday morning at Middle Creek Church of the Brethren from 9-10:00 AM. Flowers will be received or contributions may be made in Catherine's memory to the Mission Fund, Middle Creek Church of the Brethren, 351 West Middle Creek Road, Lititz, PA.,17543. To send online condolences, please visit; SnyderFuneralHome.com.  Charles F. Snyder Jr. Funeral Home & Crematory 717-560-5100