Annette Sell

1922 - 2016

Annette Olivia Sell, 93, passed from earthly life to eternal life on Tuesday, March 8, 2016, at Woodlands Terrace at the Oaks personal care facility in Salisbury Twp. where she had lived for five years. Previously, she lived in Allentown for 60 years. She was the wife of the late Emerson L. Sell who passed in 1987. She was born in Slatington on August 22, 1922, to Leland S. and Flossie (Kuhnsman) Rex and she and her sister grew up on the Rex farm. Annette was a 1941 graduate of Slatington High School and member of the Order of Eastern Star. She was employed at Sears for many years and started the bridal department when Sears first opened at the Whitehall Mall and ended her career at Sears selling major appliances. A breast cancer survivor, she led a very active life. She was a volunteer for the cancer society's "Reach to Recovery" program. Annette served many years as the brownie troop leader at Seibert E. C. Church where she was a member for more than 60 years. She taught craft classes at Gross Towers and was a past member of the Allentown Salvation Army Women's Auxiliary. She served on the board of the Allentown Rescue Mission and ran fundraising bus trips for the Allentown Boys Club. When she wasn't working or volunteering, Annette was busy using her sewing talents, doing any type of tailoring, even making wedding gowns. She loved crafting, ceramics, quilting, crocheting, knitting, needlepointing, and used these skills to assist others. Yet, she always had time to run around with her sister, Evelyn, play pinochle, and travel, including 14 trips to Alaska. She had a life full of joy and accomplishments. "Death is merely a passage: for us, on this side of heaven, at times a sad one, but our joyous hope is to spend eternity together with Jesus". Survivors: son, Carson R. and wife, Carol A., Emmaus; grandson, Craig and wife, Caitlin, Chester Springs; great grandchildren, Addison and Garrett; niece, Bonnie and husband, Dr. Gene Miller; nephews, Leland Eisberg and wife Karen, Dean Eisberg and wife Carla; brother-in-law, G. Wesley Sell and wife, Althea; sisters-in-law, Janet Dankle and husband, Carl, Verna Meckes, Virginia Sell; cousin, Leon Rex III and wife, Joyce; many grand nieces and grand nephews; many great grand nieces and great grand nephews. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her sister and pal, Evelyn M. Eisberg. Services: A Celebration of Life will be officiated by Dr. Miles Lewis, Lancaster Bible College professor, at 10:30 AM Monday in STEPHENS FUNERAL HOME, INC., 274 N. Krocks Rd. Allentown 18106. Call 9:30 AM until service time. Interment will be in Cedar Hill Memorial Park. (www.stephensfuneral.com) Contributions: in lieu of flowers, to Allentown Rescue Mission, Inc., 355 Hamilton St. 18101, Salvation Army, 144 N. Eighth St. Allentown 18101, or Alzheimer's Association, 617 Main St. Hellertown 18055.