Marian Linn Bunce

Marian Linn Bunce, 103, of Meadville, a resident of Wesbury since February 1985, died there Saturday, February 17, 2001.

Born September 16, 1897 at Maple Grove Farm in Dicksonburg, Summerhill Township, she was a daughter of William M. and Minerva Frey Shaw.  She married Winter Bunce June 4, 1917.  He preceded her in death October 8, 1968.

A 1916 graduate of Conneautville High School, she also attended the Edinboro Normal School.

She taught school in a one-room schoolhouse from 1917 until the end of World War I.  After the war, she and her husband operated Maple Grove Farm until 1941, at which time she went back to teaching at Dicksonburg Elementary School.

In the 1950s, she returned to school to become one of Pennslyvania's first licensed practical nurses.  She went on to work at Flickinger's Convalescent Home in Meadville and at the Cribbs Home (now Wesbury).  She retired from Hamot Medical Center in Erie in 1967.

She raised her family and attended Dicksonburg Methodist Church before becoming a member of Stone United Methodist Church in Meadville.  She also was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and Veterans of World War I Social Group, as well as senior citizens and church related groups.

During a life that touched three centuries, she loved her home, family, friends and church.  Family and friends say she inspired them with her strength, courage, integrity and constant faith.

She enjoyed reading, gardening, card playing, needlepoint, crocheting and extensive travel.

Survivors include two daughters, LaMerne Wardian of Santa Clara, CA and Betty Galbo (Philip) of Meadville; a son, William Milo Bunce (Irene) of Erie; nine grandchildren, Alice Bunce Higa, Wayne Bunce, Karen Wardian Bullard, Douglas Wardian, Gregory Bunce, Deborah Galbo Maroney, Mark Galbo, Matthew Galbo and John Galbo; ten great-grandchildren; a great-great-grandchild; a daughter-in-law, Florence Bunce of Las Vegas, NV; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by three sons, infant twin sons Hubert and Herbert Bunce and Wayne L. Bunce.

Services were held at Waid Funeral Home.

Interment was in Dicksonburg Cemetery.