Grace L. Kile

Grace Louise Kile, of Clarks Summit, passed away on Wednesday, November 19, 2008 at Abington Manor. She was in her 93 rd year. She had a date with her high school sweetheart and beloved husband Ren (Reynold L.) who was lost to her nearly 50 years ago. Born and raised in Berwick, PA, she was the daughter of the late Charles and Clara (Watts) Zimmerman. In addition to parents she is predeceased by her oldest of three sons, Dean Allyn Kile, her brothers Manley and Charles and sister Jane (Keller). Surviving her are: sons and daughter-in-law Douglas and Suzanne Kile, Endwell, NY, and Dennis Kile, Clarks Summit; brother James (Cora) Zimmerman, Hunlock Creek, PA; granddaughters Amy (Byron) Barnes, Vallejo, CA, Beth (David) Purpora, New York, NY and Loren Kile, New York, NY; great grandchildren Freddy and James Purpora and Grace and Oliver Barnes; dear and dedicated friends Jeannette Brown, Marjory Harer and Carlene Howard, all of Clarks Summit.

Grace graduated from Berwick High School, later married and then relocated to the Dunmore section of Scranton with her young family. In 1955 they built a home in Clarks Summit, where Ren died four years later. She resumed her education evenings and was then employed by Northeastern National Bank, now PNC Bank, and retired as a customer service representative after 20 years. She was an active member of the Asbury Methodist Church and later the Clarks Summit United Methodist Church, serving on various committees and was a member of the Couples Class, Elizabeth Circle and United Methodist Women's Society. She also served as organist and was pre-service pianist for 25 years. Along with her musical talent she was an artist who excelled in water color and oil paint. Her flower garden and houseplants always flourished and she enjoyed crossword puzzles and crafts, able to create things of beauty from the simplest of materials. She was an experienced seamstress, beginning as a young girl making her own clothes and was a wonderful cook whose holiday and Sunday meals will forever remain a warm memory.

Above all Grace was unselfishly devoted to her family. No sacrifice was too great for her three boys and her care and concern for them never diminished over the years.. She was the ultimate mother, and grandmother. She adored her three granddaughters, Amy, Beth and Loren from the day they were born, as they adored her and stayed close to her until it was time for her to leave them. A very special relationship evolved from early on. Their Nana had a profound positive effect on each of them and passed on many of the same wonderful characteristics she possessed.

Grace will be remembered for her warm and gentle ways, her soft and soecial sense of humor, the care and concern she extended to any needy person or homeless stray pet and her inability to say an unkind word about anyone.

Per Grace's final wishes, her choice for rest was cremation with ashes to be placed beside her husband Ren. A memorial service will be held at the Clarks Summit United Methodist Church, Grove Street & Morgan Highway, Clarks Summit, PA, 18411 on Saturday, November 22, 2008 at 12:00 P.M. Prior to that the family will receive friends at the church beginning at 11:00 A.M. Interment at the Pine Grove Cemetary, Market St., Berwick, PA will be at a later date at the convenience of the family.

The family would like to thank the Abington Manor staff for the special care and comfort they provided Grace. It was extraordinary, and will never be forgotten. It is respectfully requested that floral tributes not be sent. Rather, she would have much preferred contributions be made to the Clarks Summit United Methodist Church or to the Humane Society of Lackawanna County, 967 Griffin Pond Road, Clarks Summit, PA 18411.