Monni Lester, devoted wife, mother, grandmother, creative writer and poet completed her final chapter Friday August 27, 2010 at age 84.  She was most recently a resident of The Glen at Willow Valley Retirement Communities as well as Meadow Ridge and Willow Gables.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Meadow Ridge and Fourth Floor at the Glen for their loving and attentive care of Monni.

Monni completed her life's journey and joined her beloved husband, Joseph, in Heaven who preceded her in death November 17, 2009. They were married 58 years.

Born in Cleveland Heights, Ohio on July 9, 1926 to parents Harold Terry Clark and Mary Ermina Sanders Clark, Monni had three brothers and two sisters: surviving is her brother, William Sanders Clark of San Francisco, CA.   She was preceded in death by brothers David Sanders Clark of Fayetteville, NC; John Terry Clark of San Francisco, CA; and sisters, Mary Ermina Clark Schultz of Hanover, NH; and Annie Otis Clark Reece of Concord, MA.

Monni  is survived by four children:  Joseph T. Lester, III of Reno, NV; Martha Lester Harris and husband Randolph J. Harris of Lancaster, PA; Mary Lester Zerbe and husband Grant N. Zerbe of Lustre, MT; and Susan Lester Busch and husband Ross M. Busch of Spokane, WA.

Monni and Joe had seven grandchildren, 3 boys and 4 girls, ranging in ages from 10 to 28 years old; Clayton J. Zerbe, Sarah Zerbe Hanson, Katherine I. Zerbe, Janell C. Zerbe, Kathryn E. Harris, Conner J. Busch, Evan J. Busch.

Monni attended Park School of Cleveland from kindergarten through 9th grade. She attended Hathaway Brown School for Girls in Cleveland where she was President of Student Council and was selected Honor Girl in her senior year. She graduated in 1944.

Monni graduated from Wellesley College in Wellesley, MA, in 1948, majoring in English Composition.   While attending Wellesley, she wrote a biography of her father, Harold Terry Clark, and won a first prize award for her original novel, entitled, "The Fruit of the Vine." Her most recent book, "Childhood Memories – Kennebunkport, Maine, 1926-1939," was published in December, 2009.

Monni met her husband, Joseph Thomas Lester, Jr., of Jacksonville, FL, in September, 1948 at the wedding of mutual friends, where they were both members of the wedding party.  They were married in on April 7, 1951 at Fairmount Presbyterian Church, Cleveland Heights, OH.

Through the years, Monni continued her writing, producing a rich collection of poetry, family journals and travelogues, which created a wonderful record of their family.  They raised their four children in Wilmington, DE.  After residing there for 46 years, Joe and Monni moved to Lancaster County in 1999.

Joe and Monni traveled to many historical sites at home and abroad. They were skilled in personal, original re-enactments of the lives of George and Martha Washington and James and Dolly Madison, which they presented to dozens of church and senior groups in Delaware and Pennsylvania over the past 20 years.

A dedicated Christian, Monni was active in church life, organizing programs for the elderly (EGGS, "Experienced Generation Group, St. Paul's United Methodist Church, Wilmington, DE),  hosting internationals in their home and offering hospitality  to anyone in need.  Monni and Joe were active members of Lampeter United Methodist Church.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to a Committal Service at Willow Street United Church of Christ Cemetery on Peach Bottom Road on Saturday, Aug. 28 at 3:00 PM. A Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, September 19, 2010 at 3 PM at Lampeter United Methodist Church 1651 Book Rd. Lancaster, PA 17602. Friends and family will be received from 2pm until the time of the service. Refreshments to follow in the reception hall. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Lampeter United Methodist Church. To send the family online condolences please visit SnyderFuneralHome.com  Charles F. Snyder FuneralHome & Crematory 717-393-9661