Mary Drehs

Mary Drehs, 94, of Wyomissing, passed away peacefully on Friday, August 7, 2026, in the care of the Highlands at Wyomissing.

She was the beloved daughter of the late William F. and Ludema M. (Moore) Drehs, who previously owned and operated W. F. Drehs Camera Shop in Reading.

Mary graduated from West Reading High School in 1949. She completed her AB Science degree at Wittenberg University in 1953, graduated from the John Hopkins School of Nursing and received her BS in Nursing from McCoy College of Johns Hopkins University, 1956.

She worked for many years as a staff nurse, beginning at John Hopkins Hospital and later at Reading Hospital, where she served as the first head nurse when the ICU opened in 1963. Mary served on the faculty of the Reading Hospital School of Nursing for seventeen years, passing on her knowledge to the next generation of nurses. She ultimately retired as a staff nurse at the Highlands of Wyomissing.

Mary was a life-long member of Trinity Lutheran Church.

She was a member of the Delta Zeta National Sorority and a past president of the Reading Area Panhellenic Society. Mary was also a member of the Berks County Chapter of the Embroiderers Guild of America.

Left to treasure her memory are: niece, Karen (Kevin) Parsons; nephew, Ronald (Dorothy) Easterday; great niece, Kelly Parsons; and great nephews, Tim Parsons and Daniel Parsons.

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her sister, Nancy Drehs Easterday.

Contributions in Mary's memory may be offered to the Endowment Fund of Trinity Lutheran Church, at 527 Washington St, Reading, PA 19601 or the Endowment Fund of The Highlands at Wyomissing.

A funeral service for Mary will be held on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, 527 Washington St, Reading, PA 19601, with committal to follow at Pleasantview Cemetery. Friends and family are welcome to visit at the church from 9:00 a.m. until the start of services. Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc, is entrusted with arrangements. Condolences may be expressed at kuhnfuneralhomes.com.