Ms. Velma L. McMaster, age 95, went home to the Lord on May 10, 2019 at Clarview Nursing home. She was born September 26, 1923 in Clarion, PA, the daughter of D. Chester and Ruth McNutt McMaster.
A graduate of Clarion High School Class of 1941 and the Hoff Business College in Warren, PA her career as an office assistant took her to Harrisburg where she was employed for 26 years by the Pennsylvania Medical Society, the Pennsylvania affiliate of the American Medical Association. She was an active member of the Pine Street Presbyterian Church and a former president of the Harrisburg Business and Professional Women’s Club. In 1975 because of a family illness, she moved to Erie where she was employed in the Alumni Office of Gannon College. A few years later she moved to Sharon to accept a position with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and subsequently was able to transfer to Clarion University of Pennsylvania. She retired in 1990 while serving as secretary to the Physics Department.
An active member of the First Presbyterian Church of Clarion, Ms. McMaster had served as a ruling elder and Clerk of Session. She also was an active member of Presbyterian Women both in Clarion and in the Presbytery of Kiskiminetas.
Velma is survived and will be lovingly remembered by a nephew, Mike McMaster of St. Augustine, FL; three nieces: Kathy (McMaster) Blankenship, Greenville, SC; Carolyn (McMaster) Hurst, Huntersville, NC; Barb McMaster, Erie, PA; great-nephew Brent McMaster, Jacksonville, FL; great-nephew Jason McMaster, Southlake, TX; great-nephew Scott Blankenship, Lyman, SC; great-niece, Lauren Hurst, NYC, NY; and great-nephew, Kevin Hurst, Charlotte, NC. Preceding her in death were her parents, her brother Ray McMaster, and a brother, Larry McMaster.
Arrangements are under the care of The Goble Funeral Home and Crematory in Clarion.
A memorial service to remember Ms. McMaster’s life will be held Saturday, June 15, 2019 at First Presbyterian Church, Clarion, PA at 2:00pm. with the Rev. Dr. Jonathan Scanlon officiating. Ms. McMaster elected to have her body cremated. The urn will be interred in the family plot at the Clarion Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests a donation in memoriam to:
Clarion Cemetery Association, 1300 Main Street, Clarion, PA 16214; or First Presbyterian Church, 700 Wood Street, Clarion, PA 16214; or Leatherwood Church, 889 Church Road, New Bethlehem, PA 16242.
Friends and family may send online condolences by visiting www.goblefh.net.
To read more about Velma McMaster’s well-lived life see:
https://www.passiontoknowmore.com/single-post/2016/03/28/A-Life-of-Significance-1
