Mae A. Saylor, 79, of Bellefonte passed away Wednesday, May 18, 2016, at home surrounded by her family. Mrs. Saylor was born in Coburn, PA, to Edna Musser Vonada and Lee A. Vonada on May 15, 1937. Mae was happiest when reminiscing about her childhood, growing up in Coburn. She grew up in a very musically talented family. Her father was a director of several bands and played many musical instruments. She loved singing and was a member of numerous choirs throughout her life. She enjoyed playing the piano, often finding peace and solace there. Mae also played the organ, clarinet, and accordion, often entertaining family members. She played the piano for her church at various times in her life as well. She attended Jacksonville Emmanuel United Church of Christ.
Growing up in Coburn, Mae’s parents owned Vonada’s General Store where she spent many happy times and learned many life lessons through the people she met there. As a young girl, she enjoyed ice skating, roller skating, riding bicycle, and just being an all-around “tomboy”. Mrs. Saylor graduated from Penns Valley Area Schools and attended Juniata College, where she received a degree in Elementary Education. She taught school for 34 years, primarily in the Penns Valley Area District teaching multiple generations of students.
Mae was active in local politics and served as a Democratic Committee Woman for Haines Township, where she met John T. Saylor. They married in 1983, and spent 33 wonderful years together traveling all over the world. Mrs. Saylor loved traveling by train, spending time with her family, and enjoyed many years of camping fun at the Grange Fair. She was a mentor to many with a kind and gentle spirit and a loving Mother and Grandmother. She was very proud to be the matriarch of a pretty exceptional and eclectic clan of people and will be so missed by all.
Mrs. Saylor is survived by her husband John at home, her sister Jeanne Vonada Wasson of Centre Hall PA, three daughters, Jacqui Greenland-Bierly (Michael) of Bellefonte, Julie Thompson (Darryl) of Bellefonte, and Janel Greenland (Craig) of Ben Lomond, CA. She is also survived by eight grandchildren, Tasha Smith, Katie Miller, Maggie Bierly, Madelyne Falcone, Chloe Thompson, Sarah Thompson, Megan Thompson, and David Thompson, and one great-granddaughter Alaina Mae Smith, all of Bellefonte, PA.
There will be a visitation held on Friday, May 20, 2016 from 6:00pm until 8:00pm at Wetzler Funeral Service, Inc., 206 N. Spring Street, Bellefonte.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, May 21, 2016 at 1:00pm, at the funeral home with Reverend Evelyn Wald officiating.
Burial will be held at St. John’s Catholic Church Cemetery, Bellefonte.
Memorial contributions may be made to Grane Hospice Volunteer Program, 106 Zee Plaza, North Juniata Street, Hollidaysburg, PA 16648. The family would also like to thank the many folks from Grane Hospice, Home Instead, and Joe Falcone for all of their assistance and compassion during a very difficult time.