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LORRAINE H. McELHARE

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Lorraine H. McElhare, 87, Sellersville businesswoman and Sellersville Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary mainstay, passed away peacefully at Phoebe Richland Health Care Center on Tuesday, July 20, 2021.

She was the beloved wife of the late Harry J. McElhare, Sr. for 63 years until his death in 2018.

Born in Norristown, she was the daughter of the late Ivan S. and Mamie (Bauer) Hess. Lorraine was a 1952 graduate of Norristown High School.

As a child, Lorraine, along with her parents and sister, performed as trapeze artists in a local traveling troupe that entertained at carnivals and other community locations.

Married in 1955, Lorraine and Harry took up ownership the following year of the Sellersville landmark, McElhare’s Service Center, now proudly managed in its 65th year by their son. Every year, Lorraine created seasonal and holiday decorations in all of the service center windows to the viewing delight of all passersby at the Five Points intersection.

Always civic-minded, Lorraine began her decades-long association with the Girl Scouts once her daughter joined. A leader of a Cadette troop, she then moved on to coordinate local cookie sales for many years. The late General Hugh Niles said, “She has been for the Girl Scouts selling tractor-trailer loads of Girl Scout cookies over the years. A tractor-trailer load each year, if not more.” In 1977, Lorraine became the director of the week-long day camps, a position she enjoyed for decades. She also oversaw the ordering and distribution of Scout calendars, and for three years she served as a leader of a special troop for mentally challenged Scouts. For all of these many activities, she was awarded the “Thanks Badge,” Scouting’s highest honor.

With her husband, she volunteered with Meals on Wheels.

It is her position as the president of the Sellersville Fire Department’s Ladies Auxiliary for 41 years, however, that is probably Lorraine’s greatest claim to fame. Whether leading fundraising efforts for the department, making her inimitable waffles and ice cream at the annual SFD Carnival, seating guests for SFD breakfasts and ham dinners, selling flowers at the annual Easter Flower Sale, handing out treats at the Halloween Parade and during Winterfest, or leading the Auxiliary ladies during the 125th Anniversary events, Lorraine was the cornerstone of the Sellersville Fire Department.

For these many activities, Lorraine was the recipient of the 1991 Citizen of the Year Award, presented to her during the annual Pennridge Community Day.

Long-time season ticket holders of both the Phillies and Eagles, Lorraine and Harry had enjoyed attending games with their children and grandchildren. Trips to Disney World with the grandchildren and numerous vacations in Ocean City were also highlights.

Lorraine’s great gifts were her love of people, her extraordinary work ethic, her sense of civic responsibility, her devotion to family, and her mischievous sense of humor. Despite her petite stature, she was a force of nature.

Mrs. McElhare is survived by her children, MaryAnn Fosbenner and her husband, Neil, of Perkasie; Harry J. McElhare, Jr. and his wife, Tracey, of Sellersville; three grandchildren, Steph, Ashley, and Sean; a brother, Gary I. Hess, and his wife, Carol, of Delaware; a sister-in-law, Shirley Martindel, of Doylestown; and a brother-in-law, Dennis McElhare, and his wife, Dorothy, of Lancaster.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by a grandson, Travis Fosbenner, and a sister, Alberta Bucci, both in 2020.

A visitation was held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Monday, July 26, at the Sellersville Fire Department, 2 North Main Street, Sellersville, PA 18960 and from 10 to 11 a.m., Tuesday, July 27. Her funeral service followed at 11 a.m. in the firehouse. As per current CDC guidelines, the family requested that anyone not vaccinated, please wear a mask.

Interment followed in Sellersville Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Lorraine’s name may be made to the Sellersville Fire Department, P.O. Box 315, Sellersville, PA 18960, with checks made payable to the SFD Ladies Auxiliary.

Betty Meier Steeley Funeral Home, Sellersville

www.steeleyfuneralhome.com


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