Obituary of Margaret C. Showalter

Margaret C. Showalter, 91, formerly of the Cabbage Hill neighborhood of Lancaster, PA died on Friday morning, September 2, 2016 at Mount Hope Nazarene Retirement Community in Manheim. Born in Lancaster, she was the daughter of the late Steven and Margaret Kellish Emmerich. She was married to the late Joseph A. Showalter for 30 years prior to his death in 1977. Margaret was a member of St. Anne Catholic Church in Lancaster for more than 55 years where she served as an extraordinary minister. She was also a longtime volunteer serving lunchtime meals at the church. She worked in the gift shop of the former St. Joseph's Hospital for more than 20 years. Earlier, she owned and operated the former Harmony Inn (a unique combination of tavern, restaurant, and hotel) on North Queen Street for 25 years. She was also employed as a clerical worker at the former Marietta Army Depot. Known by those who loved her as "Doll" or "Aunt Doll", Margaret enjoyed traveling throughout the United States and Canada, collecting thimbles, completing crossword puzzles and word search games, and walking. She also enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her three grandchildren and nieces and nephews. She is survived by two children, Thomas A. Showalter, husband of Linda D. Compton, of Stevens, and Claudia A., wife of Fred P. Shepherd, of Winter Haven, FL; former daughter-in-law, Cathleen Showalter of Lancaster, three grandchildren, Adam Showalter, Anthony Shepherd, and Christopher Shepherd. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by six siblings, Frances Potts, Marie Weirich, Albert Emmerich, Catherine Maconeghy, Stephen Emmerich, Jr., and John Emmerich. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday morning, September 7, 2016 at 10:00 AM at St. Anne Catholic Church, 929 North Duke Street, Lancaster, PA 17602 with Fr. Tri M. Luong and Deacon William Autrey officiating. Commendation and Final Farwell will be in Holy Trinity Cemetery in Columbia. The family will receive friends at the church on Wednesday morning from 9:30 AM until the time of the Mass. If desired, contributions may be made in her memory to Mount Hope Nazarene Retirement Community, 3026 Mount Hope Home Road, Manheim, PA 17545 or to St. Anne Catholic Church. To watch a webcast of the service beginning the day following the Mass or for other information, visit www.spencefuneralservices.com.