Mary Lovina (Lupher) Masters

Mary Lovina Lupher Masters, 87, died at Wesbury United Methodist Community in Meadville, PA on April 28, 2009.  The cause of death was old age, an affliction of the elderly.

She was born in Townville, PA on July 20, 1921 on her parents’ farm in Randolph Township, a daughter of the late Sherman E. and Sylva Graham Lupher.  She married Max E. Masters of Cambridge Springs on February 26, 1943 in the United Methodist Church in Houston, TX.  Her husband Max preceded her in death June 17, 1986.

Mary was named after two great grandmothers, Mary Pond and Lovina Lupher, who were buried in the Guys Mills, Hatch Cemetery.  They were descendants of the earliest Pilgrim and Puritan settlers that arrived in Massachusetts before 1640.

She was active in the United Methodist Churches of Townville, Cambridge Springs, Asbury of Erie and Bedford.  At her death, she was a member of Stone United Methodist Church in Meadville were she served as the President of the United Methodist Women from 2001-2007.

Mary was a life time member of the Golden Crown Chapter, Order of Easter Star, Daughters of the American Revolution, Civil War Daughters and the Colonial Dames of the XVII Century serving offices in each organization, including Regent of DAR.  Her sense of patriotism was deep as evidenced by her dedication to these organizations and to the study of her family’s genealogy.  At age 70 she joined the Senior Center’s Tapping Tootsies and was their oldest member for many years.

Surviving are: her daughter, Gayle Fuhrman of Meadville, Gayle’s son Rich Hemenway and his wife Denise of Pensacola, FL and Gayle’s daughter, Colleen Ouellette and her husband Matt of Sheridan, WY; Mary’s son, David Masters and his wife Kathy of Edinboro, David’s daughter, Lexi Snow and her husband Matt and their daughter Kara of Guys Mills and David’s Son Ben Masters of Honolulu, HI and Mary’s daughter, Annette King and her husband Jack and their three children Danielle, Chad and Trevor of Wexford, PA.

Preceding her in death were her sister, Helen (and husband Karl) Dennis and her four brothers, Watson A. (and wife Margaret) Lupher, Vance (and wife Millie) Lupher, Willard (and wife Thelma) Lupher and Manley (and wife Norma) Lupher.  Surviving is Manley’s widow and Mary’s good friend, Laura (Jean) Lupher.

Mary was an aunt, great aunt, great great aunt and even a great great great aunt to many nephews and nieces.

Calling hours will be Friday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at the Robert W. Waid Funeral Home, Inc., 581 Chestnut Street, Meadville with a Daughters of the American Revolution service at 1:45 p.m.

The funeral service will be Saturday at 11 a.m. at the funeral home with Mary’s nephew, Dr. Dennis Lupher and his wife Mary Ann, officiating.

Burial will be in Cambridge Springs Cemetery.

The family suggests memorials be made to Hatch Cemetery Association, c/o David Masters, 101 Chestnut Street, Edinboro, PA 16412, Cambridge Spring Cemetery Association, c/o Mrs. Bieganski, 12102 Dawn Drive, Meadville, PA 16335 or Hospice of Crawford County, 464 Pine Street, Meadville, PA 16335.

Although Mary will be missed by her family, they celebrate her long and happy life.  To quote Mary, “Mary’s dead. Nuff said”