Obituary of Helen L. Musser

Helen L. Musser, 94, of Manheim, PA, formerly of Columbia, PA, died Friday afternoon, June 15, 2012, at home, following a week long illness. Born in Columbia, she was the daughter of the late William and Hanna Louise Habel Preston. She was the wife of the late R. Dean Musser who she was married to for over 50 years. Mrs. Musser graduated in 1935 from Columbia High School. During the Great Depression, she was employed as a machine operator by the former Becker Sewing Factory in Columbia and as a secretary in the PA Department of Agriculture in Harrisburg. She chose to terminate her employment outside of the home when she and her husband started their family, becoming a full time homemaker. Mrs. Musser was a member of Mountville Trinity United Church of Christ in Mountville, PA. In her earlier years, she was a Cub Scout den mother for ten years and worked with the former Herald Tribune newspaper in New York City with the Fresh Air Fund. She also enjoyed feeding and watching birds, traveling and taking bus trips with the Manheim Senior Citizens, and spending time with her family. She embraced computer technology to stay connected to her family and friends. She and her husband danced to the biggest names in swing and she maintained a love for Big Band music all her life. In her later years she became a political liberal and enjoyed watching MSNBC. She is survived by two sons, Michael "Mick", husband of Jane L. Deutsch Musser, of Red Lion, PA, and Charles P. Musser, husband of Sue Spiese, with whom she lived; Allen, husband of Rena Zai, of Crete, Greece, who she considered a son; three grandsons, Charles Musser, Jr., Jason Musser, and Jefferson Musser; four great grandchildren, Kyle Musser, Dylan Musser, Vanessa Musser, and Isabelle Musser; and a great great grandson, Raymond Dean Frysinger. She was preceded in death by twin brothers, William Preston and Robert Preston. A private graveside service will be held at Laurel Hill Memorial Park in Columbia. The family requests that flowers please be omitted. If desired, contributions may be made to Mountville Trinity UCC Church, 450 West Main Street, Mountville, PA 17554, earmarked for Mercy Homes. For directions and additional information, visit www.spencefuneralservices.com.