Mary E. Gehman

MARY GEHMAN Mary E. Gehman, 83, of Lansdale, died Friday, April 20, 2012 at her residence. She was the wife of the late Paul Robert "Bob" Gehman, Sr., who died September 3, 2004. Born December 2, 1928 in Lansdale, she was the daughter of the late Curtis and Irene (Frye) Palmer. Mrs. Gehman graduated from the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia. An accomplished pianist, she was a performer and advertiser on early TV and radio, and she enjoyed teaching piano lessons throughout her life. While her husband served in the military, Mary worked at the Pentagon and, later, was posted to Huntsville, AL where work on the early missile program was being carried out in the 1950s. Around this time, Mary began to raise her family and was a dedicated homemaker while her children were growing up. She became involved in the school's Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) which led to her election to the North Penn School District Board of School Directors. In the last years of her term of office, she served as President of the board. After her service on the school board, Mary worked as a design consultant with Bamberger's/Macy's in their curtains, beds and linens department. She remained active in local politics in Skippack through her involvement in township planning and development. Mary led a full life that included many hobbies in addition to her passion for local politics. She was interested in local history and the preservation of historical sites, and loved flower and herb gardening. She was an avid reader of history, news, business, and politics, and appreciated the greater access to information afforded by the internet. She and her husband traveled and saw many interesting places. She is survived by her children, Dr. Paul Robert Gehman, Jr. of Lansdale, and Pamela E. Gehman of North Wales; four grandchildren, Eleanor J. Gehman, Patrick P. Gehman, Quinton A. Gehman, and Esther K. Gehman; four sisters-in-law, Elizabeth McCahill of Ocean City, NJ, Shirley Crawford and husband, Alfred of Hilltown, Florence Gehman of Harleysville, and Shirley Gehman of Florida. The Funeral Service will be held at 9AM Saturday, April 28 at the Huff & Lakjer Funeral Home, 701 Derstine Ave., Lansdale. Relatives and friends may call after 8AM. Interment will be in Whitemarsh Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the Biblical Theological Seminary, 200 N. Main St., Hatfield, PA 19440.