Gene Shelley Getz

Gene Shelley Getz, 90, of Palmyra, formerly of Annville, passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 16, 2014 at her residence in the Castagna House of the Lebanon Valley Brethren Home. Daughter of the late Jackson and Hazel Shelley, Gene was born September 7, 1924 in Lancaster, PA. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Pierce A. Getz, daughter Anita Getz Chapman, brother Jack Shelley, and sister Winifred Adelizzi Kier. She is survived by her son, Joseph Allen Getz and wife, Virginia Leary Getz, and grandsons, Joshua and Daniel Getz, Harrisburg; and son-in-law, Randall Chapman, Annville. Gene was a member of Market Square Presbyterian Church, Harrisburg, where she sang in the choir for nearly 20 years under the direction of her husband. Prior to this, she was a long term member of the Annville United Methodist Church where she sang in the choir for over 20 years. Gene grew up in her hometown of Manheim and cherished special memories of time spent throughout her young adulthood at her family’s cottage in Mount Gretna. Following graduation from Manheim High School and Bryn Mawr Nursing School, she served as a surgical nurse at Bryn Mawr Hospital, as school nurse in the Palmyra School District and for many years as school nurse in the Annville-Cleona School District. From 1953-1958, Gene and her husband served as educational missionaries through the United Church of Christ at several colleges and universities in Japan, where she returned several times to visit friends and accompany her husband on his organ recital tours. Gene enjoyed traveling throughout the United States and abroad; reading, especially about topics dealing with spirituality; singing in various choirs; and learning about and communing with nature. But her greatest joy came from spending time with and caring for her family. Gene’s warm and kind demeanor, caring and loving heart, and gentle spirit will be missed by all who knew her, but are indelibly etched in the hearts of her family. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, October 22, 2014 from 6:30-8:30 PM at the Kreamer Funeral Home and Crematory, 618 E. Main Street, Annville, PA 17003. A Memorial Service celebrating Gene’s life will be held on Friday, October 24, 2014 at 11:00 AM at the Market Square Presbyterian Church, 20 South Second Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101. Family members will greet guests following the service. Free parking is available in the Market Square Parking Garage adjacent to the church. Inurnment will be held at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her memory to: Market Square Presbyterian Church, designated for the Music Program; Voices of the Valley (formerly the Alumni Chorale of Lebanon Valley College), c/o 771 Pennsylvania Ave., Lemoyne, PA 17043; or Lebanon Valley Brethren Home, 1200 Grubb Road, Palmyra, PA 17078. PDF Printable Version

Gene Shelley Getz

October 16, 2014 - October 16, 2014