Margaret Tate Lefever

Margaret (Esbenshade) Tate Lefever, 93, passed away, surrounded by her family, at her Lancaster home, on Tuesday December 11 after a lengthy battle with dementia.

Born on July 7, 1919 in Lancaster, she was daughter of John W. and Grace M. Esbenshade. Margaret was a graduate of Manheim Township School District; received a bachelor’s degree in Education – Math and Sciences, from West Chester State; and took graduate classes in education at Millersville State, Franklin & Marshall and Elizabethtown College. During the 1940’s, she taught seventh and eighth grades in East Hempfield Township Schools and senior high grades in West Hempfield Township School District.

In 1941, she married Rev. Dr. John D. Tate, a Presbyterian minister to whom she was married for 25 years and who was pastor of Presbyterian churches in Mt. Joy, Donegal, Ardmore, Baltimore, and Harrisburg’s Market Square Presbyterian Church. Margaret was active in supporting his ministry. Dr. Tate’s untimely death in 1969 occurred while he was in Boston assisting in establishing Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. In 1989 she married, Paul S. Lefever, a widower and family friend who had retired from the Presbyterian Church in Haddonfield, N.J as music director. They enjoyed travel, family and friends, and music before his death in 2004.

Margaret is survived by two children, a son, Allen E. Tate, married to Nancy of Lancaster; and a daughter, Margaret E. Zeiders, wife of Charles Zeiders of Harrisburg, PA. ; three grandchildren including; Jeffrey D. Tate married to Vanessa of Lancaster; Amy Tate LaMar, wife of Terry Lamar of San Diego, CA. and Megan Baker, of Los Angeles, CA ; two great grandchildren, Veda Tate and Gavin LaMar; three stepsons David Lefever, and wife Sandy, of Corea, Maine; Gerald Lefever and wife, Paula of Morristown, N.J.; and Kenneth Lefever and wife Diane of Fayette, ME; two step daughters Ann Arber , and husband, David Arber of Pennsauken, NJ, Ruth Kamps and husband Charles Kamp of Watumpka, AL.; eighteen step grandchildren; and two step great grandchildren.

Throughout her life, Margaret was an active supporter, volunteer and leader in many community activities over the years including Girl Scout Leader and Leadership Trainer, Bible School and Sunday School Teacher, member of the Donegal Chapter of the DAR, member of the Huguenot Society and member of the Pinnacle Health Aux, in Harrisburg. She held past leadership offices in the Carlisle Presbyterial, Church Women United, Deacon at Market Square Presbyterian Church in Harrisburg, member of the Harrisburg Study Club and Allendale Women’s Club. Margaret is a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church, Lancaster.

Chautauqua, New York was a special place for Margaret and her family where they enjoyed summers in the family cottage for over 50 years. She enjoyed the annual Chautauqua season program and was involved with the Presbyterian Association of Chautauqua, NY; Chautauqua Women’s Club, the Chautauqua Art Association Board and Gift Shop manager; The Chautauqua Bird, Tree and Garden Club, and was a member of the Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Club (CLSC) Class of 1976, the oldest book club in America.

The family wishes to extend its appreciation to Sonteary Keat and family for the dedicated care and assistance they have provided Margaret over the past 8 years.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions can be made to Gordon- Conwell Theological Seminary, 130 Essex Street, South Hamilton, MA 01982 and designate as a gift for the Dr. John D. Tate Scholarship Fund in memory of Margaret Tate Lefever.

A funeral service will be held at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 2151 Oregon Pike, Lancaster on Monday, December 17 at 11 A.M. A visitation will be held prior to the service from 9:30-11AM at the church. Interment will be held at Conestoga Memorial Park Cemetery, 95, Second Lock Rd., Lancaster.