Ella Marie Bashore

1943 - 2024

Ella Marie Bashore

February 4, 1943 - December 28, 2024

Pine Grove Mills, Pennsylvania - Ella Marie Bashore (nee Benningfield) of Pine Grove Mills died on December 28, 2024. She lost consciousness in the comfort of her home which she had lived in and shared with family and friends for decades and which contained many memories that will be cherished and remembered by them for the rest of their lives. She would call it a blessing to have left this world without pain or suffering surrounded by the things she loved.

She arrived in State College in 1971 as a reluctant trailing spouse convinced she would miss the beaches and beauty of northern California. Instead, she quickly found her forever home filled with friends who provided her with grace, love, and companionship for the remainder of her life, a business network that provided her with interesting work and collegiality, and environmental variety and beauty that she often proclaimed was the best in the world.

The absolute light of her life and consuming passion were her grandchildren. She spent countless hours with them and made it one of her top priorities to be available to them and provide them with loving support. She is survived by all of them: Amanda Gentzel, Tyler Gentzel, Christopher Grubb, Jennifer Grubb, Harley Peavler, and Danielle Stoltz (nee Bashore).

She is also survived by her daughter, Tammy Gentzel (nee Peavler), son-in-law Dean Gentzel, son Terry W. Peavler and daughter-in-law Cheryl Peavler (nee Weyandt).

She was predeceased by her second husband, Paul R. Bashore, who was a great adventurer. They loved to travel and camp together and explore all of the beauty and interesting sights around them. She was also predeceased by her first husband, Terry J. Peavler. She spoke often about her years with him and how important they were to her. Finally, by her brothers Harley and Richard and her parents Harley and Lucille.

If she could, she would have extended a special loving thank you and goodbye to her dear friends among whom were Ruth Ann Williams, her partner in mischief for over 50 years, and Genie Robine, who provided her with healing companionship after the death of her husband Paul. Also to the men in her life who helped her feel comfortable and safe in her home by helping to maintain and take care of it, Scott Daggs and Anthony Boob.

Her family is still working through the details for her celebration of life and will announce that privately to her family and friends at a future date.

In lieu of flowers or cards, please consider a donation to the Mount Nittany Hospital emergency room or PaSEC care of Clearwater Conservancy. She volunteered in the emergency room for several years. It was a time when she felt useful and supportive to those who needed extra care and attention. At PaSEC she connected with new friends with whom she worked to collect and code stream and water quality data. She enjoyed every minute of it and often talked about how important their work was to the future of a healthy Centre County environment.