Patricia Levere Gensemer

Strength – how is it measured? For our family, our strength was measured against Grandmom's strength. Even though petite in stature, her strength could make the strongest of men buckle at their knees. Her family meant everything to her. She would defend the underdogs, hide the grandkids from punishment by her own children, and make sure she took her grandchildren to church, which was often followed by lunch at the nearby diner. Church nourished our souls, the diner nourished our bodies, but Grandmom nourished our whole being. So the standard of strength in our family was and always will be Grandmom!

On March 22, 2016, at the tender age of 89, Patricia Levere (Aul) Gensemer left this earth surrounded by her loving family. Awaiting her arrival was her husband, Wallace Reed, and all her daughters: Patricia (Meirzejewski), Shirley, Peggy, Barbara, Linda and Catherine, as well as her grandson, Barry Moore, her great-grandson, Jacob Moore, her parents, Viola and Eugene Aul, and her siblings: Betty, William and Warren.

Grandmom was born in Johnstown, Pa., but resided in Reading, Pa., nearly her entire adult life.

Over the past few years, Grandmom's strength was tested. Her health declined and dementia attempted to rob her of her memories. But Grandmom was strong! Never wanting any of us to worry, she put on a brave front. However, her trips downtown became more infrequent because it became unsafe for her to make those trips alone. This became very difficult for her to accept, because she was strong and no one or anything was going to keep her from doing the things she enjoyed most. Trips to the "5&10" were part of our family rituals as children, often starting with her weekly hair appointment at Claffey's salon, followed by an egg salad sandwich at the dinette next door, then onto Woolworth's, McCrory's and Pomeroy's. It concluded with a visit to family that lived in town. Family is her cornerstone.

In recent months, sleep became Grandmom's refuge from the things she could no longer do or enjoy. Sleep was a place that allowed her to transcend time and remember fond moments spent with family, sipping tea with her best friend, and those countless trips to the "5&10" with grandkids in tow. These were times when her pace was swift and her tongue even more so. She will forever be the strongest woman I know, always pushing through difficulties in life – more than anyone should have to know in a lifetime.

Alas, she was called back home. Hopefully, all who had to learn lessons from Grandmom learned them. She was never one to repeat herself. Those of us who loved her immensely are left to implement those life lessons.

She leaves behind her three sons: George Sr. (Sandra), Robert Sr., and Larry Sr. (Donna), her 15 grandchildren (the majority of whom were raised by her at some point in their lives), 28 great-grandchildren, and 16 great-great-grandchildren.

Through the tears, smiles will emerge as each one of us recalls our fond memories. She was my grandmother by birth, my guardian by circumstances and my mother in my heart. Lovingly submitted by her granddaughter, Lisa M. (Gensemer) Pflaumer.

We invite those to join us as we celebrate her life this coming Saturday, March 26th, at the Auman Funeral Home located at 390 West Neversink Road, Reading, PA. The viewing will take place from 9 a.m.-10 a.m. followed by a loving service, officiated by Reverend Barry Moyer from Caring Hospice. Internment will be at Forest Hills Memorial Park.

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