Marion Lelia Schedler Grahek Atkinson

MARION LELIA SCHEDLER GRAHEK ATKINSON, 97, of Willow Valley Retirement Community, passed away on Wednesday October, 16, 2013.

Born in Spokane, Washington on October 22, 1915, she was the daughter of Paul Arthur and Lelia Van Allen Schedler.  She was preceded in death by brothers Paul and Roger and sister

Phyllis S. Hove, all of Spokane.

In the Lancaster area, she was the past president of Neff PTA, the Towne Club, and the Occupational Development Center Auxiliary.  She was a member of the Board of the Occupational Development Center and the Women’s Symphony Association, a reader for the Lancaster Assoc. for the Blind, a member of Lancaster’s Pan-Hellenic Group, and a founder and member of PEO, Chapter BA.

A member of Highland Presbyterian Church since 1960, she was a Deacon, a Homebound Coordinator, taught Sunday school, was an ordained Elder from 1990-93, served on the Personnel and Memorial Committees, was a Stephen Minister, and was active in the church’s Habitat For Humanity program.

She had lived at Willow Valley Retirement Community in the Mid-Rises, Meadow Ridge, and most recently at The Glen.  At W.V. she enjoyed gardening and the companionship of her close personal friend John (Jack) Toppin until his death in 2006.  She also enjoyed playing tennis well into her later years and was an avid and excellent bridge player despite her failing eyesight.

She lived in Williamsport, PA from 1951 to1959 where she was active in scouting, serving both as a Den Mother and a Brownie Leader.  She was president of the PTA and attended Covenant Central Presbyterian Church.  She enjoyed the title of “Mrs. Williamsport” and was Runner-up for Mrs. Pennsylvania in1959.

A graduate of Lewis & Clark High School in Spokane, WA, she attended Washington State University in Pullman, WA  where she was a member of Delta Delta Delta Sorority.

On April 4, 1940, she married Joseph L. Grahek, d. 10/14/76, who was a founder and President of Lancaster’s Emtrol, Inc.  In 1992 she married Charles Dessau Atkinson, II who died in 1997.

She is survived by five children: David J., husband of Shirley Rommel, Chocowinity, NC, Kathleen L., wife of Peter Connal, New River, AZ,

Philip L., husband of Delores Church, Manheim, PA, James, V.A., husband of Marsha Jones, Richmond, VA, and Steven P., husband of  Deborah La Gorce Kramer, Malibu, CA, nine grand-children and three great-grandchildren.

Marion’s family thanks the staffs of Willow Valley Communities and Hospice for all of their compassionate and professional care and assistance during the last two years.

A memorial service will be held at Highland Presbyterian Church, 500 E Roseville Rd, Lancaster, PA 17601 on Tuesday, October 22, 2013 at 11:30 am with Reverend James Weaver and The Reverend Dr. Ann Osborne presiding.  A private interment is scheduled at Conestoga Memorial Park Tuesday morning.

Please omit flowers.  Remembrances can be made in Marion’s memory to Occupation Development Center, 640 Martha Ave., Lancaster, PA 17603.  ODC is a local non-profit organization devoted to helping mentally handicapped individuals.