Emma Ginther

Emma Ginther (1928-2014)

Emma Louise Marshall Ginther died peacefully surrounded by loved ones in Pinellas Park, FL on January 16, 2014. Emma was born on May 21, 1928, and grew up in Emporium, PA, where she graduated as salutatorian of her high school class in 1946. She trained to become a registered nurse at Presbyterian Hospital in Philadelphia and later earned a BA in nursing administration from St. Joseph's College in Standish, ME. She also lived in St. Marys, DuBois, Shippensburg, PA, and most recently at Green Ridge Village, a Presbyterian retirement community in Newville, PA.

Emma’s main loves in her life were family, faith, music and nursing.

First and foremost, Emma loved her family. She is predeceased by John Ginther, her husband of 56 years, who passed away in 2006. She is survived by her daughter Barbara Zullinger and son-in-law Roy Zullinger of Shippensburg, PA; her son Michael Ginther and son-in-law Jim O'Donnell of San Francisco, CA; four grandchildren, Brian Zullinger and wife Becci, Beth Zullinger, Emma Ginther, and Audy Ginther; and three great grandchildren, Halle, Bailey and Cameron.

Emma was raised a Methodist and became a Presbyterian when she married. She was always active in her church, where she served in various roles. She had been a long-standing member of the Middle Spring Presbyterian Church and most recently was attending the Second Presbyterian Church in Carlisle, PA. Because of her strong faith, she was calm and at peace during her last days, ready to meet her Maker.

She sang all her life, in choirs, choruses and as a soloist. She also played the flute, piano and trombone. Over the years she acted as choir director for both the children and adult church choirs. At the time of her death she was an active member of her church choir and the Village Aires chorus at Green Ridge Village. She was a member of the First Court Chapter #470 Order of the Eastern Star, Shippensburg.

Emma also loved being a nurse, a career she chose at age 5 after observing nurses care for her beloved sister Margie who suffered from a crippling disease. She worked for 40 years as an RN, nursing supervisor and instructor before retiring from the Carlisle Hospital in 1988.

Emma lived a long and productive life. Even at the end, she was most concerned for the well-being of her family, giving them comfort and strength. She charmed her caregivers, complementing them when she liked their style and gently offering them "pointers" when she didn't. Finally, accompanied by her iPad, she was doing her best to sing "Ave Maria," "The Lord's Prayer" and other favorite songs three hours before she passed.

Services will be held at noon on Tuesday, January 21, at the The Middle Spring Presbyterian Church, 135 Middle Spring Rd, Shippensburg. Officiating will be The Rev. Kimberely Wadlington and Rev. Jeff Gibelius. Burial will be in Middle Spring Cemetery. A viewing will be held Monday evening from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. in the Foglesanger-Bricker Funeral Home, 112 W. King St., Shippensburg.

Emma requested that any gifts in her name be made to Doctors Without Borders USA, PO Box 5030, Hagerstown, MD 21741 (www.doctorswithoutborders.org) or Shriners Hospitals for Children, International Headquarters, 2900 Rocky Point Dr., Tampa, FL 33607 (www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org).

On-line condolences may be expressed at www.fogelsanger-brickerfuneralhome.com.