Elsie M (Repp) Andrews
Elsie M. Andrews, 91, passed away peacefully on October 31, 2018 in McCullough Place, Johnstown, PA. She was predeceased by her husband of 60 years, Elvin H. Andrews, her son, Master Chief Petty Officer Allan Andrews and beloved daughter in law Chrissy Andrews.
Elsie was born on 12/24/1926 in Allentown, PA to Clifford and Amanda (Reed) Repp. She graduated from Lansdale High School in 1944 and from Roosevelt Hospital School of Nursing, NYC, NY. During World War 2 she served in the Nurse Corps. After the war Elsie worked at the Lehigh River Silk Mill, as a Nurse for Dr. Charles Sieger, D.D.S, as a machine operator and proofreader for Boise-Cascade, and as a homemaker.
Elsie had two sets of identical twin boys and a daughter and was very proud of her family. In addition to raising her family, Elsie devoted her life to serving others. She was a previous member of Grace United Church of Christ, Northampton, PA where she served as a deacon, choir member, and a Brownie and Girl Scout leader. Elsie drove for Meals on Wheels, transported cancer patients to hospitals for treatments, and served as a victim advocate for the Crime Victims Council.
Elsie was the leader of the Northampton County Seeing Eye Puppy Club and raised eight puppies for Seeing Eye, Inc. She was particularly proud of being certified by the Library of Congress as a Braille transcriber and was a member of the former Lehigh Valley Braille Guild and transcribed hundreds of textbooks and documents into Braille for students.
Elsie was a school board member for the Northampton Area School District and served as a representative on the Northampton Intermediate Unit 20 board, a delegate to the Northampton County Area Community College board, taught for the Adult Literacy Program at Northampton Community College and was a member of various school board committees.
In May of 1988 she was recognized by the Lehigh Chapter of Phi Delta Kappa to receive the annual Community Service Award to the individual who gives of themselves for the betterment of others. In May of 1992, Elsie was the recipient of the 40th Book of Golden Deeds of the Northampton Exchange Club in recognition of her lifetime of serving others. She also spearheaded the formation of the Northampton Area Food Bank in 1992.
Survivors: Daughter Sharon, wife of Richard Eisold of Northampton; Terry and wife Sandra of Northampton, PA; Kerry of Tully, NY and wife Janet of Pittston, NJ; Scott of Windber, PA; and Daughter in law Wendi Andrews of Virginia Beach (widow of son Allan). In addition she is survived by grandchildren Sean, Kelly, Greta, Gregg, Spencer, Riley, Elizabeth and Ethan.
A graveside memorial service will be held on her wedding anniversary April 27th 2019, which was a date very important to her.
Donations in lieu of flowers to Resource Development, American Foundation for the Blind. 1401 South Clark Street, Suite 730, Arlington, VA 22202.