Published: October 26, 2009 11:28 pm      

Rena R. (Deaner) Souders [Cumberland]

CUMBERLAND — Rena R. (Deaner) Souders, 94, died peacefully on Oct. 20, 2009 at Devlin Manor Health Care Center with her family at her bedside.

Rena Deaner was born Aug. 15, 1915 in Hollsopple, Pa., the oldest child of the late Spurgeon (S.C.) and Ruth E. (Cough-enour) Deaner. She married her husband, Patrick in 1934 and they enjoyed 50 years together until his death in 1984.

She is survived by her two children, Ruthanne Parker of Cumberland and Patrick (Pat) D. Souders of Frostburg; five grandchildren, Christy (Souders) Rayman and husband Todd of Gilbert, S.C., Patrick D. Souders Jr. of Front Royal, Va., Andy Souders and wife Kristen of Oakton, Va., Rosemarie Willow and fiancé Jimmy Murray of Cumberland and Scott Parker and sweetheart Maryann Boska of Cumberland. Also survived by eight great-grandchildren, Sarah, Jesse, Josh, Alec, Cole, Beau, Patrick and Sam; as well as nieces, nephews and a large extended family.

Also surviving are her sister, Myra Myers of Greensburg, Pa.; sister-in-law, Edith Deaner of Wiley Ford, W.Va.; sister-in-law, Bernice Deaner of Ravenna, Ohio; and brother-in-law, David Minnick of Cumberland.

She was preceded in death by her four brothers, Wendell, Leland, Earl and Paul; sister, Carol (Ody) Minnick; brother-in-law, Wesley Myers; daughter-in-law, Anna Souders; and son-in-law, Terry Parker.

Mrs. Souders was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. “Grandma” inspired three generations with her love of gardening and took great pleasure in her flowers and garden until a broken arm from a fall at home necessitated a move to assisted living at The Kensington. She also was a Girl Scout troop leader, a member of the choir at St. Mark’s, a regular at cards at the Senior Center in Cumberland, an avid reader and a lover of poetry. She also bowled and liked to walk the towpath. Her home was a sanctuary for many family members throughout the years. “Grandma” will be greatly missed by all her family.