Obituaries

Kathleen Thomas Glah, 92

December 19, 2014

“Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.” Daniel 12:3
In the early morning of December 19, 2014, A. Kathleen Thomas Glah, of Lancaster, PA peacefully passed away at home. At the end of her full and happy life, she expressed a readiness to join her loved ones who had gone before her and to meet her Lord.
Kathleen was born in Craddock, Virginia on March 3, 1922. She was the daughter of the late Samuel Stone Thomas and Helen Noel Thomas. She later moved with her family to Drexel Hill and graduated from Upper Darby High School in 1940.
Like her mother, all four maternal aunts, and both of her sisters, Kathleen became a registered nurse, graduating from St. Joseph School of Nursing in Lancaster in 1943. While employed at a hospital in Philadelphia, she bumped into a young medical student and an old high school classmate, Henry J. Glah, Jr., who had written in her high school yearbook, “May we meet again in the medical world.” They married on September 6, 1944. Harry and Kathleen moved to Lancaster in 1947, and spent the rest of their lives living, working, volunteering and raising their large family in this community.
As the mother of seven, Kathleen chaired endless fundraisers at the former Sacred Heart Academy, Sacred Heart School, and St. Leo the Great School, and actively supported Lancaster Catholic High School and St. Joseph’s Academy. She was involved for over 20 years with the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts. During the 1960’s she was the Volunteer Chairperson for the Lancaster Chapter of the American Red Cross, and through the 70’s served on the Red Cross Disaster Services Committee and the Board. She also served as a board member of the St. Joseph Hospital Auxiliary, the Lancaster Medical Society Auxiliary, and the St. Joseph Hospital School of Nursing Alumni Association. She was a founding member of St. Leo the Great Catholic Church and of the parish women’s club.
Kathleen’s deep faith and generous spirit led her to embrace the pro-life missions of A Woman’s Concern, Mom’s House, Clare House and St. Anne’s Retirement Community. The Sisters of the Holy Cross, the Salvation Army, Water Street Rescue Mission, Boys Scouts of America, and many other local, national and international charitable organizations received her support and prayers.
Kathleen loved her many volunteer hours at church and in the community; traveling and cruising around the world with her beloved husband, children, and siblings; boating on the Chesapeake on the “Kathleen”; sitting with friends at bridge club; spending entire days working outside on her immaculate garden and pond; and being surrounded by her ever growing family. She was the number one fan of her children and grandchildren, attending every sporting event, concert, and play. Kathleen was a devoted and loyal friend, and threw fabulous parties both formal and pool side: “Did you get the call?”
The importance of family bond was paramount to Kathleen, and she strived to ensure her grandchildren would have lasting relationships, gathering them throughout the year and, most monumentally, at SkyTop Lodge in the Poconos each summer for the past twenty years. She was a pillar of faith, always a symbol of God’s grace and care, gently guiding and encouraging those around her. She will be remembered for the unconditional love she showed and for her incredible generosity, for her unfailing friendship and words of wisdom, and for her wit and poise. Kathleen charmed everyone with that knowing wink from across the room, her contagious smile, and brilliant red hair.
We will all miss the notes, cards and newspaper clippings Kathleen so diligently sent to friends, family, and sometimes even strangers. She was the master correspondent, brightening people’s days.
We will try, likely in vain, to match Kathleen’s incredible enthusiasm for holiday fun: the photos she took of, and sent back to, generations of trick-or-treaters sitting on her porch bench with the “pumpkin man”; her beautiful Christmas decorations — especially the brilliantly lit 120-foot pine tree on the corner and the life-size Nativity scene her husband hand made — which the community has enjoyed for over 50 years; and Easter Sundays that ended in full contact egg hunts in her back yard.
We thank the people who cared for Kathleen at the end of her life so that she could remain in her home as she always wanted and as her husband promised she could. We especially thank Wendy, Heather, and Maggie for their gentle care and sunny dispositions.
Kathleen leaves behind a deep pride in family history and tradition, which she passed on to her seven children: Harry Glah III, MaryEllen Genoese, and Joanne Glah of Lancaster; Margaret Benz of Lancaster and London; Kathleen McDonald and Patricia Glah of Florida; and Christine Greer of Michigan; 24 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren; her brother William Thomas of Florida; and many nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Dr. Henry J. Glah, Jr., and by her sisters, Anne Thomas Webber and Elizabeth Thomas Glah, brother Samuel Thomas, granddaughters Kathleen Noel Benz and Grace Glah Greer, grandson Marco Gonzalez, and daughter-in-law Inta Kirsteins Glah.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to a Mass of Christian Burial at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, 558 W. Walnut St., Lanc., on Saturday, January 3, 2015, at 11:30 a.m. with the Rev. T. Antony Raja officiating. There will be a visitation with the family at the church from 9:30 to 11:15 a.m. Please dress with a splash of the bright colors from Kathleen’s garden which she loved so much. Entombment will immediately follow at St. Joseph’s New Catholic Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Kathleen’s memory to A Woman’s Concern, 616 N. Duke Street, Lanc. 17602, or St. Anne’s Retirement Community, 3952 Columbia Avenue, Col. 17512 (memo line: Memory Support Unit). To honor Kathleen we ask everyone to buy a stamp, put pen to paper and send a note to a shut-in, veteran or loved one.

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Condolences to the Family

January 08, 2015

Dear Joanne and Family: I met your mother once, but I know you, and if she was anything like you, she was wonderful. The things she accomplished in her lifetime,were the things of angels. I know she is with her Saviour and the others who have gone before. And you will all see her again. I may even get a chance to get to know her beter. My love and prayers at this time.  Judie Bistline

January 05, 2015

Dear Harry & family:  I was so sorry to learn of your Mother’s death.  She must have been a wonderful lady.  Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Thinking of you all,
Mary (Henkel) Shelly

January 03, 2015

Dear Children of Kathleen,  Your Mother was a fabulous lady.  She was always kind, loving, sweet, just the kind of lady everyone loved.  Please accept my deepest sympathy–know my prayers & thoughts are with you. I planned to see you this morning at Sacred Heart  until I got the horrible cough & chills that seem to be going around.   Take care of yourselves & never forget the wonderful memories she made for you.  Love, Mary Anne Aichele

January 03, 2015

To the entire Glah family,

It is with deep sadness and regret that we offer our heartfelt condolences on the passing of Kathleen. She, along with her family, was a good neighbor in Wheatland Hills and benefactor of the annual Nativity display. She will be sorely missed.

Sincerely,

Maria Markow and family

January 02, 2015

Dear Peggy, Tom, Benz and Glah families,
Our condolences on the loss of your mother, mother-in-law, grandmother. She was a beautiful woman, We feel blessed to have know her. We are sorry to miss the Mass tomorrow. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Love,
Mary Lou and John

December 29, 2014

Dear Harry and the Glah family,
I am so sorry to hear about your mother. i hope your many happy memories will help you through this difficult time.
With deepest sympathy,
Ray Laub

December 26, 2014

To the children of Kay Glah, Kay was a wonderful Mother to all her children and loved each & everyone of them! Her children were her life and so very proud of their achievements that they made in life, she had so much patience and kind words to them! The article that was published was so beautiful and anybody who knew her this was her in and out! I remember being in her house years ago and never did i ever hear her complained about anything. I was friend’s with her one daughter and was there pretty much so i remember all her smiles. Her concern were always the welfare of her children and always so proud of them. She was another” Martha Stewart” when it came to her garden! Kay- I visited you on numerous times and she would ask how my son Justin was! He was born Special Needs. She always gave me support and always would say I was so lucky to be blessed with all healthy children! Kay would look at me and say’ Honey-God has picked you to be his Mother because u could handle all his medical problems. Justin is very lucky to have you for his Mother-you are very loving. As i would look at her-she would always give me a hug goodbye! Prayer’s are said for the entire family!! Sincerely, Mrs. Deb Shaeffer & sons.9

December 26, 2014

We are sorry for the loss of your Mother. May you find comfort, support, and caring .
Sincerely,
The Curtin Family

December 26, 2014

Dear Peggy, Tom and the entire Glah family,
We join all of our branch of the Benz and Vettese families in extending our condolences. Your mom was a great lady and left a wonderful legacy. We send our best wishes to all of you,

Peggy Vettese and Ed Benz

December 25, 2014

MaryEllen, what a beautifully written tribute to your mother.  A pillar in the community and at St Leo the Great Church, we will always remember your mother as welcoming, happy and full of life.  The apple has not fallen far from the tree.  Our prayers are with you and th entire family.  Your friends in Omaha, Dan & Joyce Keller

December 24, 2014

To all the Glah family – please know my sister and I share in your loss.  Your mother was a noteworthy part of our lives during our growing up years – coming into our mom’s beauty shop.  She was always so full of life – and with stories to tell!  It was a fascinating and memorable time each week.  Even when my mother retired, Kay Glah kept in touch – with notes and visits.  And, after mom had a stroke and was confined to skilled care, the visits still continued, (always with some flowers).  Your mother was so kind, generous, gracious and full of life.  She touched many, many lives – as she touched ours.  And we all are grateful.  And even as she will always be remembered – she will be missed more.  Thank you all for sharing her.  Know you are in our thoughts.
(Scott Spangler)
 
 

December 23, 2014

Dear Mary Ellen, Frank, and Family,
we were so saddened to read about your mother’s passing.  However, we were completely uplifted by reading the beautiful obituary about this loving, gracious, spiritual woman.  We feel like we have known her all our lives.  We believe it’s one of God’s blessings that you HAVE KNOWN her all of your life and been such a huge part of hers.
Unfortunately, we are leaving for Florida on Dec. 27, and will miss her funeral Mass.  But please know that we care about you and we grieve with you.  We hope our prayers and our friendship support you now and in the future.  God bless your mom, you, and your family.
Love,
Karen and Jim Kendig

December 23, 2014

Mrs. Glah certainly lived a wonderful Life, and was blessed with a large family!  She thrilled our children when they opened her notes with newspaper clippings inside.  So very simple yet so thoughtful.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire family.
Bruno & Sylvia Schmalhofer

December 23, 2014

This note is to Patricia, as well as all the family.  I am very sorry to read of the passing of your Mom Kathleen.  I will always remember you, Patricia, as an angel who was here when my husband Howard Adler died.  You didn’t know us, yet you came to my house for Shiva, and I remember you took my dad and step-mom to and from the motel, and the airport ,perhaps all the way to /from Philadelphia. From reading the obituary of your Mom, you must have inherited her qualities of goodness and caring.  Again, my condolences.  Robin Adler, 114 Suncrest Rd.  Lancaster, Pa  17601

December 23, 2014

Dear Peggy, Patty and Kathy and the Glah Family,
Someone passed along this beautiful poem when my dad passed away in 1980 and I’d like to pass it along to you.  My thoughts are with you and your families.  I have very fond memories of your mom from back in the day.  Fondly, Patsy Heilbron
 
Do not stand at my grave and weep.I am not there. I do not sleep.I am a thousand winds that blow.I am the diamond glints on snow.I am the sunlight on ripened grain.I am the gentle autumn rain.When you awaken in the morning’s hushI am the swift uplifting rushOf quiet birds in circled flight.I am the soft stars that shine at night.Do not stand at my grave and cry;I am not there. I did not die.

December 23, 2014

Your Mother’s presence in Wheatland Hills will be sorely missed. May the Christmas tree always stand in memory to her.  Deepest condolences. Liz and Bill Smal, former meighbors at 1704 Ridgeview Avenue

Visitation
Saturday, January 03, 2015
9:30 AM - 11:15 AM
Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church
558 W. Walnut St.
Lancaster, PA 17603
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Saturday, January 03, 2015
11:30 AM
Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church
558 W. Walnut St.
Lancaster, PA 17603
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