Mary L. Umberger, 92, passed away on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025, at Londonderry Village in Palmyra, PA. She was preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, William H. “Bill” Umberger, who passed away in 2017, and by her siblings Ella W., Franklin S., and Raymond D. Smith. She was also preceded in death by her son, Kevin; and grandson, Jason.
Mary was born in Hershey on June 27, 1932, to Frank Beaver and Lovina Catherine (Barnhard) Smith. She was a 1950 Cornwall High School graduate. She and her husband worked at the family business, Umberger’s Mill in Fontana, and later as managers for Interfaith Manor in Palmyra, where she also was an assistant manager at the Palmyra Senior Center. She also worked in the Annville-Cleona school district cafeteria system. Mary volunteered as a 4-H leader in South Annville, a den mother for Cub Scouts, and for meals on wheels.
Mary was a member of the Fontana United Methodist Church, where she was a Sunday School teacher, pianist, song leader, and Beginners’ Department superintendent. Most recently, she was a member of Living Hope Church in Middletown. At Londonderry Village, she was a member of the Harmonettes and Village Harmony choral ensembles and Gideons International, and she played piano for Wednesday evening worship services. She enjoyed camping with her husband and family. She crocheted afghans for all her children and grandchildren and baby layettes for the Women’s Guild of Salem United Church of Christ in Campbelltown.
Surviving are her children, Karen Umberger, of Annville, and Kory Umberger (wife, Kathy), of Harrisburg; daughter-in-law, Janet (Ebersole) Umberger (Kevin’s wife), of Cleona; foster daughter, Judy Bowers (husband, Scott), of Auburn, WA; grandchildren, Michelle Brummer, John Andrew Brummer (wife, Molly), Stephen Umberger, Brian Umberger (wife, Valerie), Mary (Umberger) O’Dell (husband, Sean), Kyle Umberger (wife, Angela), Ashley Umberger, Kent Umberger (wife, Hannah), and Evelia Gomez-Wilson (husband, Jonathan); granddaughter-in-law, Jess (Olsen) Umberger (Jason’s wife); great-grandchildren, William Brummer, Jacob Brummer, Charlotte Brummer, Noah Umberger, Logan Umberger, Cora O’Dell, Daniel Umberger, Paul Umberger, Samuel Umberger, Grace Umberger, Benjamin Umberger, Nelly Marie Umberger, Desmond Richard Umberger, Gaius Wilson, and Benjamin Wilson; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life service will be held on Saturday, March 29, at 11 a.m., in DiMatteo Worship Center at Londonderry Village, 1200 Grubb Road, Palmyra. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Gideons International by visiting the website, www.sendtheword.org/, or The Good Samaritan Fund at Londonderry Village, 1200 Grubb Road, Palmyra, PA 17078.
