Mary Ella Faust, 80, of Greenhurst Village Dr., Jamestown, N.Y., passed away on Thursday, Oct. 25, 2012, at 9:05 a.m.
She was born on March 10, 1932, to Leon and Frances Strong Cable, Sr., in Spring Creek, Pa. Her childhood memories began in Bear Lake, Pa., where she grew up with her younger brothers Doug and Leon Jr. Later on she graced the school halls of Panama Central and Panama High. That red-headed cheerleader then skipped off to become the Salutatorian of her graduating class at Allegheny College. During her second year of college she met the love of her life, Norman Faust. They joined souls in matrimony on June 7, 1951, and after graduation, they lived on Hunt Road in Lakewood, N.Y. While raising her family of five children, she participated in the Southwestern PTA and also supported her husband's business, Country Motors, as a cheery bookkeeper.
In her early years, she launched the preschool program "Room To Grow" at the Lakewood United Methodist Church where she taught for many years. She later became an asset to the Office for the Aging when she was hired as an aging services specialist. There she passionately advocated for seniors and enjoyed working with Mary Ann Spanos and all of her friendly coworkers. Some of her infinite outreaches with the elderly involved helping to launch the Meals On Wheels program, driving that big red van to many homes, development of funding for programs, state reports and advising on special projects.
Mary Ella Faust
When her soul mate Norman passed away in 1994, she relocated to Greenhurst Village. There she lived among multitudes of flowers and day lilies. Her life here was purposeful and fulfilling. "This Grandma Is Fantastic" described her well. She enjoyed her retirement and always found something to do or someone to help. Mary Ella was a joyous woman, a blessing to have known and always smiling when she saw her favorite colors of red and yellow. Just like the handmade quilts she made, she brought together many colorful skills and stitched out a productive life that has blanketed those she encountered.
Mary Ella was a true woman of God and faithfully attended Bemus Point United Methodist Church as she looked forward to the inspiring sermons from Pastor Dan McBride. She joined a group New Beginnings there and enjoyed recanting their adventures. Other activities she engaged in wholeheartedly were PEO, Knitting Guild, baking, quilting, long drives to look at fall leaves, listening to upbeat music, attending activities at the Chautauqua Institution, camping, skiing while yodeling, visiting loved ones, feeding the birds, floral arranging and spending time at Fluvanna Free Library. Mary Ella was always prompt and kept meticulous records on events and thoughts alike. She was a member of the Jamestown Audubon Society and Roger Tory Peterson Institute and loved being among their birds, butterflies and exhibits. She spread her talented hands out and taught many others how to knit, bake, quilt, garden, read, appreciate nature and how to deal with life itself. She enjoyed the company of her Amish friends and treasured her friendships with the Babbage, Rivelle and Glatz families. Her friends were many, her foes were nil, but we thank each unmentioned friend she had for bringing smiles and sweet memories into her life.
Mary Ella was a doting and generous mother to her surviving children and daughter in-law, David Faust of Rochester, N.Y., Tim (Cathy) Faust of Scottsdale, Ariz., Colleen Schroder, Debdie and Vicki Faust who all reside in Jamestown N.Y. She is missed by her surviving grandchildren and various family members, Jill (Jim) Vincent of Cherry Creek, N.Y., Casey (Sam Bibbs) Schroder of Bemus Point, N.Y., April (Frank Suroviec) Schroder of Erie, Pa., Megan Torrey of Jamestown, N.Y., and Jonathan Faust of Scottsdale, Ariz. She earned the title GG as a great-grandma and is survived by three great grandchildren, Malahki and Micah Schroder of Bemus Point, N.Y., and Hunter Vincent of Cherry Creek, N.Y. Her surviving brothers and sister in-law are Doug Cable of Somerville, S.C., and Leon (Laree) Cable of Dade City, Fla., Ted (Pat) Faust of Pittsfield, Pa., Dorothy Stewart of Youngsville, Pa., and Annette Fox of Monroe, N.C.
Mary Ella was preceded in death by her beloved husband Norman O. Faust; her dedicated mother Francis Cable; her persevering father Leon Cable Sr.; infant sister Myrtle Cable; grandparents Clarence (Ella Mae) Strong and George (Mary) Cable; aunts and uncles Roswell (Eva) Strong, Lucille Ward, Bob Strong, Dr Lionel Strong, John (Cecil) Cable, Elton (Margaret) Cable, James (Mabel) Cable, Stanley (Beulah) Norberg and Florence (Claude) Perrigo; son in-law Thomas Schroder Jr.; father and mother-in law Oliver and Edna Faust; brother and sister in-laws Warren and Carl and Daniel and Diane Faust, Pauline (Richard) Trisket and Elizabeth (Robert) Siegrist; and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Samuel Maurice and Timothy Norman Faust, Trevon Anthony Schroder and Elijah Reuben Suroviec and a most beloved great-grandchild from Jill and Jim Vincent.
Visitation was observed at Lind Funeral Home in Jamestown, N.Y., on Sunday, Oct. 28 from 1 to 4 p.m. The funeral service was officiated by Pastor Dan McBride at the Bemus Point United Methodist Church in Bemus Point, N.Y., on Monday, Oct. 29 starting at 4p.m. Following the service there was a meal provided and all were welcome to fellowship with the family as we celebrate Mary Ella Faust's life.
Memorials may be made to: "Mack" McCoy/Office for The Aging Memorial Fund through the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, 418 Spring St. Jamestown, N.Y. 14701, the Fluvanna Library, Fluvanna Ave. Ext. Jamestown, N.Y. 14701 or to the Jamestown Audubon Society, 1600 Riverside Rd. Jamestown, N.Y. 14701.
Internment was at Wrightsville Cemetery in Wrightsville, Pa., on Tuesday, Oct. 30 where she will privately be laid to rest eternally alongside her husband. Light a candle in remembrance of Mary Ella at www.lindfuneralhome.com.