Anna Elizabeth Howland Patch of Shillington died Saturday, December 16, 2017 at home, at the age of 100. She was the widow of the late Merrill (Bun) Patch who died in 1998, with whom she shared 57 years in a devoted and loving marriage.
Born October 27, 1917 in Newark Valley, N.Y., she was the daughter of the late Fred Cady and Bella Florence (Piper) Howland. She was predeceased by four siblings: Margaret, Charles, John and Robert. She is survived by two daughters, Margaret, widow of T.J. Simendinger, of Wyomissing and Harriet of Shillington. Other survivors include many nieces and nephews.
Elizabeth was graduated from Cortland Normal School in 1938 and earned a B.S. degree in elementary education in 1960. She was a highly respected and much beloved kindergarten teacher in Newark Valley and Dryden, N.Y. as well as the Shillington Elementary School of the Governor Mifflin School District. “Mrs. Patch” continues to be remembered and celebrated by her “graduates” throughout the communities in which she taught. When she gave each child a pine tree seedling for Arbor Day, they planted it at their homes. Seth Frankel’s tree still grows beside the house on Maple Avenue. When the children each planted a sunflower seed in a cup, individual sunflowers grew tall in the backyards throughout Shillington and “Mrs. Patch” delighted in driving through the borough noting the sunflowers of “her pupils!” She continued to celebrate their many accomplishments as they grew to serve the community and beyond.
A 55 year member of First Presbyterian Church in Reading, she enjoyed serving as a deacon. Previously, she was an active member of the First Methodist Church of Newark Valley serving as Sunday school superintendent and singing in the choir among many other activities. Her faith was part of who she was.
Elizabeth was the last survivor of one line of the twelfth generation in America as a direct descendant of Henry Howland who joined his brother John (Mayflower 1620) in the Plymouth Colony in 1623. She carried on the family legacy of sharing their history, a proud American heritage of honor and service. For that and so much more, we are deeply grateful for the lives she touched and the life she lived.
A memorial service for Elizabeth will be held on Saturday, January 6, 2018 at First Presbyterian Church, 37 South Fifth Street, Reading, PA, 19602. The family will receive relatives and friends at the church beginning at 10 a.m., prior to the service at 11 o’clock. Burial will be private at the Hope Cemetery, Newark Valley, N.Y.
In her memory, you are invited to read a child a story, donate a children’s book to a library in her honor, perform an act of kindness or make contributions to: Newark Valley Historical Society (in memory of Elizabeth Patch), P.O. Box 222, Newark Valley, N.Y. 13811, nvhistory@stny.rr.com or Mifflin Community Library (Childrens’ Programs - in memory of Elizabeth Howland Patch), 6 Philadelphia Avenue, Shillington, PA 19607, www.berks.lib.pa.us
Henninger Funeral Home is managing the arrangements. Online condolences may be recorded at www.henningerfuneralhome.com.