Kathryn H. McNall, 95, formerly of Pleasant Gap, passed on peacefully on Sept. 5, 2009 in Perry N.Y. at the home of her daughter, Jessie Barth.
Born Oct. 21, 1913 in Pittsburgh, Pa., she was the daughter of John C. and Jessie M. Heinrich who were missionaries in India from 1915 until 1943. Kathryn grew up in India and came to America in 1929 for her final year of high school. She then attended Oberlin College and upon graduating in 1934 from the Conservatory with a degree in Music Education, she began her teaching career in Milford, N.H. In 1938, she accepted a position as head of music for the Burlington, Vt. school system and it is there that she met and married Neil A. McNall in 1941.
In 1948, Neil began his teaching career in the History department at Penn State and they settled in Pleasant Gap on Sunset Avenue. Kay was known as a gracious hostess, a loyal friend and a beloved elementary school music teacher in State College, Pa. She was also an avid gardener, and a member of the Pleasant Gap United Methodist Church, where she was music director for 45 years. She was also a charter member of the State College Choral Society founded in 1949 and a member of the Delta Kappa Gamma teacher's sorority.
She is survived by one daughter Jessie M. (J. Richard "Dick") Barth, of Perry, N.Y.; one son, Lyndon N. McNall, of Conshohocken; grandchildren Geoffrey M. Bowman, David N. Bowman, Richard Barth, Sarah Barth Dressel, Elizabeth Barth; and great-grandson, James Alec Dressel along with many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Neil A. McNall; sister's Martha H. Nelson, Jean H. Schreiner and one brother, John "Jack" Heinrich.
A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009 at 11 a.m. at the Pleasant Gap United Methodist Church with Reverends Thomas Osif and Carl Hill officiating. A memorial choir will perform "How Lovely is Thy Dwelling Place" by Johannes Brahms at the service. Anyone who would like to sing may do so by attending a rehearsal before the service at 9:45 a.m. The family will begin greeting guests at 10 a.m. All are welcomed to attend a luncheon in Fellowship Hall following the service. Memorial contributions may be made to the Pleasant Gap United Methodist Church, 179 S. Main St., Pleasant Gap, Pa. 16823 or to the State College Choral Society.