Ella Jayne Beuchat

Ella Jayne Beuchat, a long-time resident of Guys Mills, passed away peacefully on Monday, May 6, 2019 at Wesbury United Methodist Community at the age of 98.

Born January 25, 1921 in Rayburn Township, Armstrong County, she was the first child of Ellis B. and Lulu (Griffin) Fitzgerald.  She married Raphael (Ray) Beuchat on November 29, 1941 and they celebrated 72 years of life together until Ray’s death on April 1, 2014.

A 1939 Depression Era graduate of Kittanning High School, Jayne moved to the Townville area, staying with her sister Alma Wolfe and found housekeeping employment in Meadville.  During and after World War II, she worked at the Meadville plants of the American Viscose, Talon and Westinghouse.  The family farm in Guys Mills kept her busy, where she weekly made baked goods and grew flowers and produce to sell at the Franklin Farm Market during the 1940’s and 1950’s.  She especially enjoyed working in the housekeeping department at Allegheny College, retiring in the late 1980’s.

A keeper of family ties, Jayne excelled at cooking and preserving fruits and vegetables, growing flowers, shopping and reading.  She always shared her prize collection of pink heirloom tomato seeds given to her by her father in the 1930’s.  After their retirement, she and Ray traveled through the Western and Southeastern U.S., Canada, Alaska and the Caribbean on bus and cruise tours.  Jayne displayed her Christian faith by visiting and sending cards, letters, food and flowers to countless shut-ins and community friends.  The monthly luncheons at the Mt. Hope Aide were much anticipated.  Her interest in the activities of local children made their visits precious to her.

Survivors include a daughter, Judy Beuchat of Greenville and a son, Dr. Larry Beuchat of Fayetteville, GA.  She also has one remaining brother-in-law, Howard Smith of Kittanning, plus numerous nephews and nieces, including Donna Aaron of Meadville, with whom she was especially close.  She always felt blessed to have Enoch and Marsha Byler, their children, grandchildren and extended families as her nearest neighbors and friends.

The oldest of 10 children to Ellis and Lulu Fitzgerald, and the last of her generation, Jayne was preceded in death by five sisters, Margaret (Fred) Myers, Daisy (Howard) Smith, Sadie (Donald) Clark, Mary (Charles) Montgomery and Grace Fitzgerald; four brothers, Ellis (Margaret), Harold (Thelma), Marlin and Seth Fitzgerald; four half-sisters, Helen (Albert) Dinger, Alma (John) Wolfe, Mildred (Mervin) Drohn and Myrtle (David) Kikstadt; one half-brother, Paul (Helen) Steele; three sisters-in-law, Audrey (Walter) Klins, Mary (Clair) Jacobs and Joanne (Carmen) Dellamedaglia; and one brother-in-law, William (Violet) Beuchat.

The family wishes to give sincere appreciation to the Wesbury Help At Home program that provided compassionate aides and advice during Jayne’s declining years at her residence and later her stay at Wesbury Grace Health Center, Village Center West.  Jayne was blessed with so many kind neighbors who always gave her their time, energy, and inclusion as one of their valued friends.

Calling hours will be Wednesday, May 8th from 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. at the ROBERT W. WAID FUNERAL HOME, 581 CHESTNUT ST., MEADVILLE.

The funeral service will be Thursday, May 9th at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home with the Rev. Alice McClymonds, Pastor of Mt. Hope United Methodist Church, officiating.

Interment will be in Greendale Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Randolph VFD, P.O. Box 25, Guys Mills, PA 16327 or to a charity of the donor’s choice.

“Life can’t be counted in candles or measured in years that have flown, it’s counted in kindnesses, close friends, and loved ones, and in all the sweet blessings we’ve known.”

Memories and condolences may be shared at www.waidfuneralhome.net.