Anne Elizabeth Shroyer Shemeta, a resident of Cornwall Manor Health Center, died peacefully on Jan. 18, 2026. She was the much-loved wife of Joseph J. Shemeta, who predeceased her in 2017.
Born on Nov. 21, 1929, she was the daughter of Frances and David Shroyer of Annville, PA, where she grew up with her three siblings. Anne graduated from Annville High School in 1947. Afterward, Lebanon Valley College was the “family school,” and Anne was the fourth generation to attend. As a music major, Anne sang in LVC’s Glee Club and two dance bands, graduating in 1951 with a BS in music education. After moving to Wilmington, DE, she was the music supervisor at Oak Grove Elementary School and married Joe in December ’52.
Music was the joy of Anne’s life—she was such an accomplished pianist that she could play anything by ear; no sheet music necessary. She also had a gorgeous voice and sang in various choral ensembles, as well as serving as a paid soprano at Trinity Episcopal Church in Wilmington. Anne’s first credo, “how can I keep from singing,” kept her active in many ways: directing church junior choirs, operettas, and Christmas programs, while teaching her three children to sing along the way. Anne and Joe were co-owners of Burkholder’s Preschool for 15 years, during which she influenced many young lives, teaching music as well as how to skip, hop, and jump!
In addition to her preschool teaching, Anne was a homemaker extraordinaire, devoted to her children and later grandchildren, a wonderful home decorator, a great cook and dinner party hostess, an avid Episcopalian, and an active volunteer for various organizations. She was especially close to her sister, Fran Bova; so intertwined were their lives that Cornwall Manor residents often had difficulty telling them apart.
Anne and Joe moved to Mount Gretna, PA, in 1983, converting the summer place to a year-round home. They so enjoyed being close enough to the LVC campus to attend concerts and games; alumni events were among her favorite activities. For years, she was a faithful member of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Lebanon, Annville Home Study Circle, and Friends of Old Annville. She was also a two-time breast cancer survivor.
They soon began traveling to Florida in the winter, eventually staying from January to April, basking in the warmth of Siesta Key Beach and loving the jazz concerts, symphony, ballet, movie operas, theater, and entertaining friends (Anne never met a stranger!).
Anne and Joe moved to Cornwall Manor in 2011, first to a duplex and then to an apartment together. Anne eventually moved to Corson Assisted Living and then to the Health Center. Over the years, Anne played the piano for many gatherings at the complex; she delighted in sharing “the oldies” and hosting sing-alongs with residents.
So loved by many, Anne is survived by her daughters, Susan Stachelczyk (Greg), of California, MD, and Ellen Keosseian (Jack), of Cornwall, PA; son, Andrew Shemeta (Christine), of Leonardtown, MD; grandchildren, Christine Deighan (Patrick), of California, MD, and Zachary Stachelczyk, of Hollywood, MD; great-grandson, Henry Deighan (parents, Christie and Patrick); step-grandchildren, Ryan Bega, of Minneapolis, MN, and Nicole Hance (Cody), of California, MD; sister, Lois Smith (Richard), of Oil City, PA; and many beloved nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, and grand-nephews. She was predeceased by her sister, Fran Bova, of Cornwall Manor; and brother and sister-in-law, David and Mary (Swope) Shroyer.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Lebanon Valley College Music Department or the Cornwall Manor Benevolent Fund.
A celebration of life for Anne will be held on Saturday, Feb. 28, at 1 p.m., in Zerr Chapel on the Cornwall Manor campus. Afterward, all are welcome to share memories with her family in the Cornwall Manor Auditorium.
