OBIT: Mary L. Hooks (formerly of Kittanning)
Mary Louise Hooks, 85, of Ford City (formerly of Kittanning) went to be with her Savior on September 24, 2015.
She was born October 30, 1929 in Applewold to the late Charles Edgar and Kennie (Lauster) Hooks and spent time on the Lauster Farm in Valley Township. She went on to attend Bryan College in Dayton, TN, and then graduated from Grace College in Winona Lake, IN, with a teaching degree in history. She taught elementary school in Indiana on an emergency status for a number of years after graduation. She also worked in Warsaw, IN, as secretary for Emerson Ward, a Christian movie and visuals producer.
Mary played the piano and was very involved in music in her church. In the 1950’s, she played for a vocalist on the local radio station WACB on Reverend Pancera’s Old Hymns program. She also cared for some children, volunteered with Area Agency on Aging and United Way and was appreciated for her sense of humor.
She is the last surviving member of her family, being predeceased by her parents, her brothers Tasker, Warren, Elmer, and John Hooks, and her sisters: Celesta (Alex) DeFontes, Ruth (Glen) Schwenk, and Margaret (Jack) Dougherty and a niece Sharon Hooks.
She is survived by her sister-in-law: Phyllis Hooks; nieces: Sylvia Hooks, Sandra Olinger, Jacqueline (Bruce) Smith, Rebecca (Terry) Brown; and nephews: Michael (Linda) Hooks, Nathanael (Charlene) Schwenk, John (Melody) Hooks, Robert Dougherty, and Aaron (Terrill) Hooks.
Mary was a member of the Grace Brethren Church in West Kittanning, and recently attended the Grace Baptist Church of Kittanning.
There will be no visitation, but a grace-side committal service at the Myers-Patton Cemetery on Monday, September 28, 2015 at 3:00 PM and officiated by the Reverend Daniel Kaminski of Grace Baptist Church.
To send an online condolence, please visit: www.snydercrissman.com