Florence I. "Babe" Stacey

It is with great sadness that I record the passing of my Great Aunt Florence Irene "Babe" Stacey, after a massive stroke and brief illness. Here is her obituary, published on October 20 in the Daily Item of Sunbury, Pennsylvania:

BEAVER SPRINGS - Florence I. "Babe" Stacey, 82, of Dearfield Street, passed away on Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009, at the Geisinger Medical Center, Danville at 8:46 p.m. She was born Nov. 23, 1926, in Altoona, a daughter of the late Albert and Emily (Osterman) Snavely. She was a 1944 graduate of Altoona High School. Florence was employed by Beavertown Weaving Mill where she retired. She attended First United Church of Christ, Middleburg. The main love of her life was spending time with her children and grandchildren. She enjoyed sewing and cooking meals for her family. She is survived by five sons and daughters-in-law, Joseph Jr. and Judy Stacey, of Mifflinburg, Gary and Connie Stacey, of Maryland, Richard and Linda Stacey, of Altoona, Robert and Ginney Stacey, of Beech Creek, and John and Donna Stacey, of Middlecreek; three daughters and sons-in-law, Lucinda (Arbogast) and Dan Goss, and Emily and Jerry Bishop, all of McClure, Melissa and Steve Zechman, of Middleburg; 22 grandchildren, Ruth Markley, Jodi Bare, Lynn Brown, Becky Kennedy, Krissy Barsoum, Michael Stacey, Brian Stacey, Lisa Stroup, Kim Packer, Tammy Prentiss, Bobbi Jo Hummel, Jennifer Glossner, Jamie Stacey, Jeff Stacey, Brandon Stacey, David Arbogast, Bobbi Landis, Christa Dressler, J. J. Bishop, Jaylene Shawver, Stacey Zechman, and Nick Zechman; 50 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; she came from a family of 11 brothers and sisters, surviving are one brother, George Snavely, and three sisters, Frances Woomer, Ada Munchak, and Izzy Stiffler. She was preceded in death by one grandson, Tommy Stacey. Friends and family may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the Aurand Funeral Home, 316 W. Market St., Beavertown, and from 9 to 10 a.m. Friday at First United Church of Christ, Middleburg, followed by a funeral service at 10, with the Rev. Julia A. Beall officiating. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery, Altoona. Contributions may be made in Florence's memory to Geisinger Hospice, 100 N. Academy Ave., Danville, PA 17822.

The heartfelt condolences of all the Snavely family go out to the Staceys in their time of painful loss. Aunt Babe's triumphant life is echoed in the role call of her descendants, and she will live on in all our memories.