The Chesty Puller Chapter (OH-2) of the Women Marines Association
In Memory
This page is dedicated to the women of character who, during their youth, answered the nation's call to serve in the Marine Corps, but who have since gone on to join their fellow Marines on guard at the gates of heaven. We thank them for their contributions to our country and Corps! May they never be forgotten.
Please contact site webmaster Jenny Potter to request additions and/or changes to this In Memory page.
-- TAPS --
Day is done Fading light Thanks and praise
Gone the sun Dims the sight For our days
From the lakes And a star 'Neath the sun
From the hills Gems the sky, 'Neath the stars
From the sky Gleaning bright 'Neath the sky
All is well, From afar, As we go
Safely rest. Drawing nigh This we know
God is nigh. Falls the night. God is nigh.
(Source for Taps lyrics: National Insitutes of Health, Department of Health & Human Services website, www.hiehs.nih.gov/kids/lyrics/taps.htm. The music to Taps is performed by "The President's Own" U.S. Marine Band and is available for free download at the U.S. Marine Band's website, www.marineband.usmc.mil.)
Shirley Kemp Mahoney, cherished mom and fun-loving grammy, was born Jan. 13, 1924 and died Feb. 6, 2007 surrounded by family and friends. Shirley and her husband of 56 years, Judge Edward J. Mahoney, raised their children in Cuyahoga Falls. She was a graduate of East High School Class of '42, attended Miami University and graduated from the University of Akron where she was also a Delta Gamma. She served as a corporal in the Marine Corps as an air traffic controller during World War II. Teaching 4th grade at Lincoln Elementary in Cuyahoga Falls for over 20 years brought her much joy. She also reached many children through the Red Cross "Learn to Swim" program for which she taught lessons until she was in her late 70s. Along with her husband, Shirley started the Cuyahoga Falls Parks and Recreation Basketball League for high school boys. Ed and Shirley also established Cuyahoga Falls Mixed Couples Golf League. Together they cherished the lifelong friendships that grew from these activities. Above all, she enjoyed time with her family. She was preceded in death by her husband, Judge Edward J. Mahoney; son-in-law, Scott Knepp; and brother-in-law, Robert Spaethe, and is survived by her daughters, Meg (David) Doucette of Natick, Mass., Kathy Knepp of Cuyahoga Falls and Barb Mahoney-Kenney of SIlver Lake; grandchildren, Jared Doucette, Tavis Doucette, Colin Kenney and Hannah Kenney and the Victor G. David Family. She also leaves her sisters, Joann (Chuck) Schmid of Brunswick and Beverly Spaethe (Bill Scullion) of Wadsworth and several nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 pm Thursday at teh Clifford-Shoemaker Funeral Home, 1930 Front St., Cuyahoga Falls. A funeral service will be conducted at 11 am, Friday, at the First United Methodist Church, 245 Portage Trail, Cuyahoga Falls, Rev. Susan Lausch officiating, and where military honors will also take place. Final resting place, Oakwood Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Red Cross Learn to Swim Program (501 W. Market St., Akron, OH 44303) or the Shirley Mahoney Memorial Scholarship through the Cuyahoga Falls Foundation (431 Stow Ave., Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44221). (Published in the 2/7/07 Akron Beacon-Journal)
Helen M. Shirey, 85, passed away Sept. 11, 2006. She was born in Akron where she lived all her life. Helen graduated from North High School and served in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II. After the service, she worked for Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company in plant protection, then later became an executive secretary for Akron Public Schools.
Preceded in death by her husband, Ernest; sisters, Jenny Joyce and Genevieve Kubilus; brothers, Bobby, Leo, John, and Eddie Sadowski; she is survived by son, Kevin (Cheryl) Shirey; sister, Frances Mittiga; many nieces and nephews.
Mass of Christian Burial was 10 a.m., Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2006, at St. Martha Catholic Church, 300 E. Tallmadge Ave., Akron. Burial followed at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to Hospice of Visiting Nurse Service, 3358 Ridgewood Rd., Akron, OH 44333.
Published in the Akron Beacon-Journal from 9/17/06 - 9/18/06.
Virginia R. "Jinny" Johnston, 84 passed away Dec. 8, 2006, after a courageous battle with cancer. She was born in Akron and lived in Mogadore most of her life. Jinny served in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II. She was employed with Goodyear for more than 30 years. Music was an important part of Jinny's life, beginning with the Marine Corps Band, where she met her husband of 62 years, Harold. Her interest in music grew and she founded the Cadet-ettes of Akron and was the choir director at Mead Avenue Christian Church for many years. Jinny was co-founder of the Akron Sweet Adeline Chapter and later became the chorus director of the newly formed Village Belle Chapter in Mogadore. Preceded in death by her daughter, Judy; Jinny is survived by her husband, Harold; son, Bob (Georgeann) of Wadsworth; daughter, Nancy Johnston (Jeff hayes), of Cambridge; granddaughter, Holly Johnston; sister, Joann Hoffman; and many loving nieces and nephews. Funeral service 12/13/06, 12 noon, at the Hopkins Lawver Mogadore Funeral Home, 34 S. Cleveland Ave., with Rev. Harold May officiating. Burial at Greenwood Cemetery in Mogadore. The family suggests memorial donations be made to Mothers Against Drunk Driving, P.O. Box 764, Hudson, OH 44236. (Published in the Akron Beacon-Journal from 12/10/06 - 12/11/06)
Eleanor S. Cottle (Steckewald), age 88, of Worthington, Ohio, died Saturday, March 4, 2006 at the Wesley Glen Health Care Center. Eleanor was born Nov. 1, 1917 in Milwaukee, WI to the late Frederick Otto and Floreance (Beals) Steckewald. She was a graduate of the University of Wisconsin, and she also served in the U.S. Marine Corps Women Reserves during WWII, retiring from the reserves in 1951 with the rank of Captain. Following her military service, Eleanor worked for CARE in New York City. She was also a long-time member of the Worthington United Methodist Church and for several years, she co-chaired the Worthing Meals-on-Wheels. After her husband retired, they spent many winters at the Rice Creek RV Resort in Riverview, FL. Eleanor is survived by her loving husband of 56 years, Harry; daughter, Janet (Jack) Markwick; sons, David (Deborah) Cottle and James (Lydia) Cottle; granddaughters, Elizabeth Markwick and Katherine (Ben) Ogle; grandson, Aaron Cottle; brothers, Paul and Frederick (Joan) Streckewald. A funeral service was held 11:30 am Wednesday, March 8, 2006 at the Rutherford-Corbin Funeral Home, 515 High St., Worthington, with Dr. W. Edge Dixon officiating. Burial followed at Walnut Grove Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to HomeReach Hospice, 3535 Olentangy River Rd., Columbus, OH 43214 in Eleanor's memory. (Published in The Columbus Dispatch from 3/6/2006 - 3/7/2006.)
