Mary Ellen Deitz

Mary Ellen (Krick) Deitz was a daughter, wife, mother, grandmother and teacher whose family was the most important thing in her life. She left them Sept. 18, 2015, at age 63 to move to heaven after a long struggle with several illnesses, including Parkinson's.

Today she rests soundly. Peacefully. Her mind is clear, and there is a smile on her face. She is warm without multiple blankets.

Now she can walk safely on her own. She can run again. There are no more bad dreams.

In her final years, which she spent in Wyomissing, she became a living example to her family and friends that life isn't fair. She always was a giver and helper and it was difficult to watch as those abilities were taken away from her. She was devoted to her children, but only had a few years to be able to spoil her grandchildren, who called her Mimi.

Mary Ellen was born Aug. 1, 1952, in Danville. She grew up in Paxinos on the Krick family farm, which originally was a several-hundred acre land grant from William Penn. She was the daughter of George C. and Marion L. (Morris) Krick.

She was married in 1973 to Harry J. Deitz Jr. and they lived in Elysburg before moving to Leesport in 1980. They raised their children in Bern Township.

She also is survived by their three children: Andrea Sprout, wife of Christopher, Riverside, R.I.; Jason Deitz, husband of Heather, Shillington; and Megan Lohr, wife of Craig, Reading. She also had six grandchildren: Kate, Jack, Grace and Luke Sprout and Drew and Jake Deitz.

She is survived by a brother, George Krick of Portland, Ore. She was predeceased by a step-sister, Janet Sharpe of Naples, Fla.

She was a graduate of Southern Columbia High School and Bloomsburg University with a bachelor's degree in elementary and early childhood education.

She and her close friend Cheryl Dennis founded Rocking Horse Preschool of Leesport in 1986 and taught together for 21 years. They gave the school to Lutheran Church of the Holy Trinity, where they were active members.

She was a member of the Elysburg women's club and the first co-chair of the Schuylkill Valley Parent P.A.T.C.H. She was active at Holy Trinity, including as a Sunday School and Bible school teacher. She was a Girl Scout leader in the Leesport area.

Mary Ellen was a voracious reader, sometimes reading a book in a day.

She loved the Jersey Shore throughout her life, and enjoyed spending her childhood summers camping at Halfway Dam and her teen years along Penn's Creek. She enjoyed traveling, including numerous trips to New England and spending part of a summer during her teens in Alaska, but her favorite place was Walt Disney World, which she visited many times.

She loved ice cream, chocolate and cookies.

She collected bird houses, Willow Tree angels and ornamental snowmen.

She liked shoes and never had enough.

She enjoyed giving presents, especially to her children and grandchildren. Among her favorite activities were the mystery trips she planned for her children when they were growing up. Christmas was her favorite time of year, and she always enjoyed having all of her family together.

Mary Ellen didn't like working in the kitchen but was a very good cook, something she missed when she no longer was physically able to do that.

She spent many hours working in her gardens and together with her husband built and maintained two small ponds and a waterfall that gave them years of pleasure watching the fish and listening to the frogs.

She loved her dogs, especially her last one, Shadow, a miniature black Schnauzer, and previously her collie, Maggie.

She was a breast cancer survivor.

More than anything else, she will be remembered for her love, sacrifice and dedication to her family. She was a giver and always put those she loved ahead of herself.

Mary Ellen left her family too soon, with lessons that she still needed to teach. But she also left them with countless priceless memories and many examples of devotion and love that will guide them until they are reunited with her someday.

She leaves a void in many lives, but her family is relieved that she finally is at peace. And they're thankful for the many years and the love they shared.

Services will be Wednesday, September 23, 2015, at 10 a.m. in the Lutheran Church of the Holy Trinity, 102 Apple St, Leesport, PA 19533. Burial will be private. A viewing will be held Tuesday from 5-8 p.m. at the Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, 739 Penn Avenue, West Reading. In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to the memorial fund of the Lutheran Church of the Holy Trinity at the above address. Online condolences may be recorded at www.kuhnfuneralhome.com.