Mary Louise Schwenk Vallati

Mary was born in the original Hershey Hospital when it was on the top floor of the Community Building, to Grace & Edwin Schwenk of 24 East Caracas Ave. She was one of seven children, Edwin JR. Ruth Donato recently passed, at the age of 94 in Philadelphia , Carolyn Hess and husband Donald (still living, in Hershey) Martha Keister and husband Frank (still living, in California) Frances passed in Charlottesville, Va and her husband Fred, and David and wife Eileen, still living in Palmyra.

Mary graduated from Hershey High School class of 1941, married Verlin V Vallati and had two children. Nancy Vallati Garver of Hummelstown-Hershey and Timothy Verlin Vallati of Camp Hill. Mary and Verlin were married for 66 years before losing Verlin to Altizmers Disease.

Mary’s first job was selling peanuts, popcorn and potato chips door to door in Hershey out of a wagon along with her sister Ruth. She also helped her brother Edwin with his paper route. She was a nanny to the beloved Whiteman family. She also cleaned Jr. College Professor’s homes and was a very early employee of HACC as a swimming teacher.

Mary enjoyed ice skating in the Hershey Arena and was taught to skate by members of the Hershey Bears ice hockey team.

She attended Hershey Junior College.

She worked at the original Pronio’s Market and for the Hershey Grocery Store that was located in the building where Devon’s Restaurants now stands.

She was a waitress for many years for HERCO, was proud to have worked in the world-famous Oyster Bar and sold Avon products all around Hershey. She, along with her husband, Verlin, were houseparents at Sunset unit for Sr. boys at the Milton Hershey School. She always had an open pantry and encouraged the boys on her unit to cook by her side. Mary was so pleased to have visits from her”boys” in the weeks before her death.

Mary sang alto in the church choir and taught herself how to play the organ. She was a talented dancer and cook and taught herself to knit. She was working on one of many prayer shawls when she closed her eyes for the last time. She enjoyed her Sunday School Class and her knitting group at the United Methodist, Camp Hill. She was a Phillies fan. She was an avid reader and was grateful to be able to be reading at her age.

She will be missed greatly by everyone who knew her.

Her family includes her daughter and son-in-law Nancy and Gary Garver Sr of Hummelstown, her beloved first grandchild, Gary Jr who preceded her in death four years ago, his wife Lisa, daughters, Julia Grace and Emma Rose of Saylorsburg, Pa, granddaughter, Jennifer Garver Hynes of Hershey, husband Steve, great- grandsons, Zack and Owen, grandson and wife Jason and Katie Garver of Hummelstown,great-grandsons, Adam and Nathan, son Timothy Vallati, wife Julie, of Camp Hill with whom she lived,grandchildren, Tiffany, Logan, Mikayla, step granddaughters, Shandi, Beth, step great- grandchildren ,Chase and Tyler; and constant friend and help-mate, Irene Schmaltz, of Shiremanstown.

Mary wanted everyone to know how wonderful her life was and how much she loves all of you, her family, and her friends. She was looking forward to joining her loved ones that have passed before her.

Services will be held at the Camp Hill UMC 417 South 22nd St, Camp Hill Pa 17011 at 10:am on Friday, August 21, 2015. Burial services will be held at the historical Stoverdale Cemetery at the convenience of the family.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Central Pennsylvania, 1320 Linglestown Road HBG.

Arrangements by Cremation Society of Pennsylvania, Inc.