Edith E. Mcdermitt

Edith Ellen (Noel) McDermitt was called to heaven on Wed, April 27, 2016 at the home of her youngest daughter and caretaker. She was the loving and devoted wife of the late husband of 69 years, George R. McDermitt, Sr., who died in 2009.
Edith was born in Harrisburg, PA, on December 17, 1921, and was the first child of the late Samuel and Julia (Marquette) Noel. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Samuel Jr. and William Noel; two sisters, Ruthanna (Noel) Watson and Julia (Noel) Beard; a granddaughter, Lacee Q. Miller; and a grandson, Robert P. Rice.
She graduated from Eichelberger High School in 1941. She was a lifelong member of St. Marks Evangelical Lutheran Church and her faith was the foundation that supported all aspects of her life. She enjoyed singing in the choir in her youth and had a beautiful soprano voice that is fondly remembered by her children. She taught Sunday school and in her elder years was known as church Grandma to the many babies she rocked in the nursery.
Edith was her husband's partner in every facet of his life. She kept the home the home fires burning while he was in the Army Air Corps during World War II and traveled to him during his training taking along their first born across the United States to be by his side. Edith was his partner in his bowling businesses and was the restaurant manager and cook at their bowling center in Martinsville, VA in the 1960s. She delighted the locals with her Pennsylvania Dutch comfort dishes and desserts.
She was a talented seamstress and accomplished knitter. Her aunt taught her to knit when she was 3 years old. She donated over 1000 baby blankets to medical missions all over the world and local charities. The beautiful blankets have become cherished heirlooms to family and friends. She could easily alter patterns to accommodate infants through XXL men's sizes. She kept her family and friends warm with knitted sweaters, coats, dresses, blankets and lap robes. Her love was evident in every item she made for others.
Edith was also the family/local historian and genealogist. She compiled over 200 large binders of history that include 20,000 photos. The written and pictorial history is a legacy for future generations.
God blessed Edith with a long life, quick wit and a loving personality. She used them all to quietly serve Him. Her random acts of kindness will long be remembered by so many. He gave her a heart of gold and the intelligence to take on any challenge. Her family remembers the huge tins of chocolate chip cookies that never seemed to get empty, tasty pumpkin pies and the way she always seemed to brighten everyone's life. Her cards with letters on birthdays, anniversaries and all of the significant milestones in life were cherished by family and friends.
She is the matriarch of an ever growing family with 5 children: George R. McDermitt, Jr. and his wife, Joyce of York Springs, Suzanne V. Kurtz and her husband, Dave of Glenville, Joan L. Miller, Edith Springfloat and Carol O. McDermitt, all of Hanover; 37 grandchildren, 43 great-grandchildren (with one to be born shortly) and 3 great-great-grandchildren.
The funeral will be held at 1pm on Saturday, April 30, 2016 at St. Mark's Evangelical Lutheran Church with The Rev. Kirk A. Griffin officiating. Burial will follow in St. Paul (Dubs) Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 pm to 8 pm Friday at Panebaker Funeral Home & Cremation Care Center, Inc., 311 Broadway, Hanover.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St Mark's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 129 Charles Street, Hanover, PA 17331