Emma M. Countiss

COUNTISS, EMMA M., (NEE HANNUM) - of North Wildwood, passed away suddenly on September 2, 2008. Em was born in Philadelphia to the late Charles and Mary Hannum. Em was a true "city girl" and affectionately referred to Philadelphia as "my city". After graduating from Little Flower High School, Em went to work for Vicks. Through all of the mergers and acquisitions, Em retired after 44 years of service in accounting from Proctor & Gamble. After retirement Em moved permanently to North Wildwood where she resided with her husband Stumpie for the last 23 years. During retirement, Em became involved in many volunteer activities beginning with helping in the office at Holy Redeemer in Swainton. Em was a member of Saint Ann's Catholic Church and could be found working bingo on Saturday nights and selling raffle tickets on the boardwalk every Wednesday night and before and after noon Mass. Em was never too busy to turn down any request for help from the church. Em served on the finance council of St. Ann's and was also a Trustee of the Parish, as well as, a member of the St. Vincent de Paul Society. In addition to Holy Redeemer and St. Ann's, Em was very active in the South Jersey Alumnae Chapter for Little Flower High School for Girls in North Philadelphia. Em and Stumpie enjoyed vacationing in Florida each year and attending spring training games for her beloved Philadelphia Phillies with her nephew Robert and his wife Debbie. Em also enjoyed her "membership" in club with her high school girlfriends. In addition to her parents, Em is predeceased by her sister Lucille M. Houston, her brother Charles N. Hannum, Jr., and her nephew James P. Sharkey. Em is survived by her husband, Glenwood "Stumpie", her sister Helen P. Sharkey (Bob), her sister in law Betty Hannum, five nephews, Jack Houston (Celestine), Robert Sharkey (Debbie), Charles N. Hannum, III (Alicia), Brian J. Hannum, and Tim Sharkey (Melia) and one niece Leslie Catando (Rich). Em is also survived by six great nieces (Shannon (Chris), Kristin, Lauree, Crystal, Sage and Ariel), three great nephews (Brian, Charlie and Matthew) and two great great nephews (Vinnie and Matthew). A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at St. Ann's Church in Wildwood on Monday September 8, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. where friends may call from 10:00 a.m. until the time of Mass. Interment will immediately follow at St. Mary's Cemetery in Cold Spring. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Em's memory to the Little Flower High School for Girls, 1000 W. Lycoming Street, Philadelphia , PA 19140-2199 or to St. Ann's Catholic Church, 2900 Pacific Avenue, Wildwood, NJ 08260. Condolences at www.radzieta.com