Elsie Mae Noble Culp, 92

July 21, 2018

Elsie Mae Noble Culp, 92, passed away peacefully at Brethren Village in Lititz on Saturday, July 21, 2018. Following a profound stroke in 2015, she continued to live with the same grace, warmth and affability that marked her entire life. Affectionately known as “Ozzie,” especially to her grandchildren, she touched the lives of all who knew her.

Elsie was born on October 24, 1925 to Clarence and Lucille Hopkins Noble, and grew up on the family farm in Calkins, Pennsylvania, Wayne County, with her older brother and three younger sisters. She graduated in 1942 as salutatorian from Damascus High School and in 1947 with a degree in chemistry from Penn State University. She was a member of Iota Sigma Pi, the National Honor Society for Women in Chemistry.

Elsie worked as a chemist at the General Aniline & Film Corporation in Easton from 1947-1949. She later worked in the multidiscipline laboratories at the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center from 1970-1988, and took particular pride in assisting the medical students, including her son Randy, with their research.

Elsie is survived by her husband of 69 years, William R. “Bill” Culp whom she met at Penn State. They were married on June 18, 1949 and raised five children. Elsie’s son David Culp (Barbara) preceded her in death. She is survived by her daughter Nancy Culp Sajeski (Eugene), Hummelstown, and sons Barry Culp, Reading, Randall Culp (Elizabeth), Hunlock Creek, and Robert Culp (Vivian Linares), Garrison, New York. Elsie and Bill have 10 grandchildren: Heather and Emily Sajeski; Alyson Lynn Palanzo, and Bryan and Drew Culp; Anne, Will and Jonathan Culp; and Dylan and Lianna Culp. They also have two great-grandchildren.

Elsie was preceded in death by her brother Arthur Noble. She is survived by her sisters Eloise Fasshauer, Honesdale, Evelyn Ridd (Russell), Honesdale, and Ida Mills (Joseph), Concord, North Carolina. She loved and admired her 28 nieces and nephews on both sides of the family.

Elsie was a longtime member of the Highland Presbyterian Church in Lancaster, where she also taught Sunday school and participated in the needlework guild. She volunteered at the Lititz Public Library for 23 years. She loved family history, travel, and bridge, and was a wonderful cook. For many years, she and Bill held season tickets to Penn State football, and loved returning to the campus where they met.

A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, July 25, 11:00 AM, at the Chapel at Brethren Village Retirement Community, 3001 Lititz Pike, Lititz, PA 17543. The family will greet family and friends from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Highland Presbyterian Church, 500 East Roseville Rd, Lancaster, PA 17601, http://www.highlandpc.org, or to the Lititz Public Library, 651 Kissel Hill Rd, Lititz, PA 17543, https://www.lititzlibrary.org.