Mary Louise (Myers) Eakin

Mary Louise (Myers) Eakin, of Cranberry passed thru Heaven's Gate on Monday September 15, 2014 at Oakwood Heights from complications from a third stroke.

She was born June 2, 1922, daughter of Harry S. (Hal) and Nellie M. Myers of Van where Mary spent her entire life.

She and her ex-husband, Robert Eakin, now deceased, had six children and started the family business of Eakin Novelty works which grew into Seneca Hardwood Lumber Co. where she worked as Executive Secretary/Office Manager and held partial ownership until her retirement. Her Children are Sandra L. Wilson and husband Floyd (Butch) of Venus, Jeanne L. Hansen of Carson City, NV, David C. Eakin and his wife Joyce of Knox, Connie L. Ekkens and husband Dr. Daniel Ekkens of Forest Ranch, CA, Kathleen D. Lutz and husband William of Butler and Daniel L. Eakin and special friend Deborah Salley of Van.

She is also survived by sisters, Helen Ray of Franklin who sent Mary a card almost every day and Ruth McCord of Nickleville who furnished home canned delights and sister-in-law Arlene Myers of Cranberry who impressed us all with her weekly fresh baked cookies. Mary was predeceased by her parents, a brother, Robert E. Myers of Cranberry, brothers-in-laws, William Ray of Franklin and James McCord of Nickleville, a great-niece Lindsay Myers of Cranberry and a grandson, Drew Hansen of Carson City, NV.

Mary was a member and church pianist at the Van United Methodist Church and many Sundays you could hear her play along with her sister Helen as the organist. Even after her first stroke, two weeks before her planned ninetieth birthday bash, she continued to play for family sing-a-longs. Thanks to her niece Debbie McCord Myers, Mary and her sisters enjoyed many quilt shows and outings and planned bus tours. She also enjoyed trips with family members to Texas, Maine, North Carolina, Florida, Nevada, New Jersey, Ohio and California.

Mary also crafted (with help from her mother Nellie on some of them) a quilt for each child. She also dabbled in various craft projects, and she and Ruth would race to see which one could finish the number puzzle first or find the needle.

Mary is also survived by a huge family. Her grandchildren are Vicki O'Neil and husband Gale, Gayle McMurdy and husband Alan, William Hirsch and wife Denise, Deanna Golden and husband Kyle, Eric Hansen, Lisa Buck and husband Blain, Amy Hartzell, Emily Hayka and husband Andy, Halyce Eakin, and Kailyn Lam and husband Charlie. Step-grandchildren are Tammy Hawk, Michael Wilson and wife Sherri, Mark Allaman and wife Barbi, Jeff Allaman and wife Laura.
Mary's great-grandchildren are Angela O'Neil, Alisha Strittmatter and husband Joe, A.J. O'Neil, Jill McMurdy, Tom McMurdy and wife Tabatha, Alexia Brand, Kevin Golden, Danielle Golden, Nichole Buck, David Buck, Andrew Hartzell, Benjamin Hayka, Levi Hayka, and Emily Lam. Her step-great grandchildren are Marina Wilson, Tanner Wilson, Talon Wilson, Ryan Hawk, Sara Allaman, Gretchen Allaman, and Dylan Allaman.

Lastly, she also has five great-great grandchildren who are Lillian McMurdy, Brycen O'Neil, Hadyn Strittmatter, Hadleigh Strittmatter and Brooklyn Raybuck. Mary has numerous nieces and newphews not mentioned who also loved and cared for her.

The family would like to voice our appreciation to Mother's many valued caregivers who loved being with her. They said she was so sweet and that time really flew while with her. So thank you, Linda Young, Rose Adams, Vicki Willyoung, Wanda Puleo, Mary Ann Carter and the girls from Shirley's Angels Homecare, VNA, and Oakwood Heights Nursing Home. You are very special people. Some of you can attest to how Mary's day was brightened each time niece Melany Myers visited with a beautiful arrangement of flowers for her.

Also, a huge thanks to Dr. Savita Joneja for caring for Mother these past two years. She always greeted Mary with two hands held out for her to take and looked in her eyes and asked "how are you today, Mary?"; and also Dr. James McLaughlin and Dr. Howard Kirtland whom mother called "Dear."

At Mary's request, family members ONLY will be received at Huff Funeral Home & Cremation Services Inc. 312 West Park St. Franklin on Wednesday from 3:30 - 6:30 P.M.

Private funeral services will be held at 7:00 P.M. Wednesday in the funeral home chapel.

A private burial service will be held at Georgeville Cemetery in Van at 10:00 A.M. on Thursday.

The family suggests a donation in Mary's name be made to the Van United Methodist Church, 8540 US 322 Cranberry, PA 16319 in lieu of flowers.