Elsie"Perky" Detwiler
1928-02-15 2010-07-30
Elsie G. "Perky" Detwiler, Age 82, of Ft. Washington, died on July 30, 2010 at her home in Ft. Washington Estates. She was the beloved wife of John W. Detwiler, Sr. for 60 years.
She was born in Philadelphia, PA on February 15, 1928 to the late James Mills and Ada Dorothy (Adams) Grundy. She was a graduate of Lower Merion High School and Drexel University achieving her degree in Education, being eligible to teach English and Science.
Mrs. Detwiler taught English at Sandy Run Middle School and taught Home Economics at Upper Dublin High School retiring after 29 years in 1992. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Ambler. Perky enjoyed gardening, flower arranging, and was active with Plant Ambler. She was a devoted homemaker, wife, mother and grandmother who loved to cook and hosted many parties. She, along with her husband John, took pride in restoring their historic home on Stout Rd. to resemble its historic era and took joy in giving tours of their home to school children. She enjoyed spending time in Avalon, NJ where she made many memories with her family.
Mrs. Detwiler volunteered with Meals on Wheels in the 1990's, spearheaded the paper Recycling Program at Ft. Washington Estates, visited the shut-ins, and sold greeting cards as fundraisers for the Residents' Association. She was featured in the Ambler Gazette as Citizen of the Week on January 23, 2008 for her volunteer efforts.
In addition to her husband John, she is survived by 4 children: Debbie Sotack of Coburn, PA, Kathy Detwiler of Philadelphia, PA, John W. Detwiler, Jr. (Jane) of Natick, MA, Dottie McBrien (George) of Ambler, PA. She was "Muzzie" to 7 grandchildren: Wesley, James aka "Jimbers", and Elizabeth Sotack; Kelsey Detwiler; Luke and Jared Detwiler, Katie McBrien, and 1 great-grandson Sean McBrien, as well as many nieces and nephews. She was pre-deceased by 2 brothers James A. Grundy and her twin William A. Grundy.
Relatives and friends are invited to her Funeral Service on Wednesday, August 4, 2010 at 11 AM at Emil J. Ciavarelli Family Funeral Homes, 951 E. Butler Pike, Ambler. The Viewing will be from 10-11 AM. Interment will be Private. In lieu of flowers, donations in her name to American Cancer Society , PO Box 897, Hershey, PA 17033 www.cancer.org or Drexel University at www.drexel.edu are appreciated. Condolences can be made by friending her on Facebook as well as sending photos and loved memories to: perky.memorial@gmail.com which will be uploaded to her Facebook page.
She was born in Philadelphia, PA on February 15, 1928 to the late James Mills and Ada Dorothy (Adams) Grundy. She was a graduate of Lower Merion High School and Drexel University achieving her degree in Education, being eligible to teach English and Science.
Mrs. Detwiler taught English at Sandy Run Middle School and taught Home Economics at Upper Dublin High School retiring after 29 years in 1992. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Ambler. Perky enjoyed gardening, flower arranging, and was active with Plant Ambler. She was a devoted homemaker, wife, mother and grandmother who loved to cook and hosted many parties. She, along with her husband John, took pride in restoring their historic home on Stout Rd. to resemble its historic era and took joy in giving tours of their home to school children. She enjoyed spending time in Avalon, NJ where she made many memories with her family.
Mrs. Detwiler volunteered with Meals on Wheels in the 1990's, spearheaded the paper Recycling Program at Ft. Washington Estates, visited the shut-ins, and sold greeting cards as fundraisers for the Residents' Association. She was featured in the Ambler Gazette as Citizen of the Week on January 23, 2008 for her volunteer efforts.
In addition to her husband John, she is survived by 4 children: Debbie Sotack of Coburn, PA, Kathy Detwiler of Philadelphia, PA, John W. Detwiler, Jr. (Jane) of Natick, MA, Dottie McBrien (George) of Ambler, PA. She was "Muzzie" to 7 grandchildren: Wesley, James aka "Jimbers", and Elizabeth Sotack; Kelsey Detwiler; Luke and Jared Detwiler, Katie McBrien, and 1 great-grandson Sean McBrien, as well as many nieces and nephews. She was pre-deceased by 2 brothers James A. Grundy and her twin William A. Grundy.
Relatives and friends are invited to her Funeral Service on Wednesday, August 4, 2010 at 11 AM at Emil J. Ciavarelli Family Funeral Homes, 951 E. Butler Pike, Ambler. The Viewing will be from 10-11 AM. Interment will be Private. In lieu of flowers, donations in her name to American Cancer Society , PO Box 897, Hershey, PA 17033 www.cancer.org or Drexel University at www.drexel.edu are appreciated. Condolences can be made by friending her on Facebook as well as sending photos and loved memories to: perky.memorial@gmail.com which will be uploaded to her Facebook page.