Mary J. Messner

Mary J. (Rebhan) Messner, 91, of Mohnton, passed away October 20, 2024, at The Heritage of Green Hills, Shillington.

Her husband, Carl A. "Skip" Messner, died on August 28, 2016.

Born in Brooklyn, New York, she was a daughter of the late William and Ellen (Coughlin) Rebhan.

She was a graduate of Tottenville High school, Staten Island, NY.

Mary served our nation proudly in the U.S. Navy Reserve.

After graduating from high school, Mary went to work at AT&T in Manhattan, NY as a proofreader. She commuted from Staten Island to Manhattan each day on the Staten Island Ferry. Mary left AT&T to raise her family.

She returned to the work force and had quite a career at Sears in the Berkshire Mall. Mary began working in the Personnel Department. She later transferred to the sales field and began selling kitchen appliances. Mary retired years later in the automotive department, where she had become an expert at selling tires, no small achievement in a field dominated by men at the time!

A devout Catholic, Mary was a long-time member of St. Benedict's Roman Catholic Church, Mohnton, where she cherished her role as a greeter. In addition, she was a part of the parish's scripture study/prayer group as well as the Cursillo Community.

Mary loved staying active and exploring the world with Skip, as well as cherishing family time in Chincoteague, VA. She took pleasure in organizing summer camps for her grandchildren, filled with arts and crafts, reading, and swimming activities. She consistently ensured that her home served as the setting for countless family gatherings, filled with laughter, love and spirited conversations. She took pride in being the owner of Labradors and Springer Spaniels.

She is survived by three children: Faith A., wife of Michael Libbe, Orlando, FL; Alfred R., husband of Annalisa Jordan, Shillington; and William F., husband of Lisa Jordan, Harrisburg; two step-children, Karyn L. Alam and Jill D. Hawk; four grandchildren: Amy Jordan; Torey Jordan; Jonathan Jordan; and Emily Jordan; and two step-grandchildren, Zachary J. Alam and Omar C. Alam.

She was predeceased by her sister, Anna (Rebhan) Connors.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, October 30th at 11 a.m. at St. Benedict's Roman Catholic Church, 2020 Chestnut Hill Rd, Mohnton, PA 19540, with burial to follow with military honors at Allegheny Union Church Cemetery, Mohnton. A viewing will be held before the service from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the church. Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc., West Reading is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be recorded at www.kuhnfuneralhomes.com.