Dorothy Irene Sartell Foster, age 87, Union Dale, died on Tuesday March 6, 2012, at the Commonwealth Hospice at Regional Hospital of Scranton.

The daughter of the late George N. and Olive (Davis) Sartell, she was born on February 3, 1925, in Ararat Township, Pennsylvania. She was valedictorian of her graduating class at Thompson High School and graduated from the Ridley-Lowell School of Business in Binghamton, New York. She worked for a utility company in Binghamton until her marriage to A. J. Alford Foster on October 18, 1947; they enjoyed 45 years of married life until Al died on November 22, 1992.

She was a 63-year member of the Order of the Eastern Star, joining on October 21, 1948. She was Past Matron of Ruby Chapter #23 and a current member of Laurel Chapter #67. An active member of the Union Dale United Methodist Church, she currently served as Treasurer of the Union Dale United Methodist Women's Society, an office she had held for many years. She and Al were also active in the Lyon Street Cemetery Association and members of the Friendship Grange. Dorothy served on the Union Dale Borough Election Board for many years. She was proud to be inducted into the Pennsylvania Voter Hall of Fame on December 3, 2010, recognizing that she had voted in every Pennsylvania general election for 50 years, as she continued to do through the rest of her life.

From their marriage until their move to Mountain Road, Union Dale, Dorothy was known by all the children of Darrow Street, Union Dale, for her chocolate chip cookies. She served as Den Mother for her son Lyle's Cub Scout troop and worked with the Union Dale Recreation Board. She was a faithful baker for the Pleasant Mount Emergency Services, Union Dale Fire Company, and Ararat Cemetery Association. Al and Dorothy hosted generations of family gatherings at Chipmunk Hollow, Gibson Township. Her family knew her for knitting socks, crocheting afghans, and baking cookies, cakes, and pies. She never forgot a birthday or anniversary of her extended family, and she was very interested in family genealogy and local history, contributing photos and memories to local historians and participating in reunions of the Potter-Washburn Families, Price Family, and Thompson School. Dorothy followed her grandchildren's activities in the Susquehanna County 4-H, as well as their other accomplishments, with great pride. When her grandson Will continued Al's tradition of maple syruping, Dorothy was pleased to keep the saphouse fires going for a number of years, while she was still able. In later years, the monthly lunches of the Foster family, Eastern Star, and Methodist Women were among her great enjoyments.

Dorothy is survived by her children, Nancy and Carl Harvatine and Susan and Paul Harvatine, all of Herrick Township, PA, Charles and Ellen (Carvin) Foster, Union Dale, and Ellen A. Foster, Grove City, PA; grandchildren, Laura Harvatine, Dana and Rick Empet, David and Leigh-Ann Harvatine, Joshua Harvatine, Will and Julie Harvatine, Kevin and Katie Harvatine, Lyle Jeffrey Foster, and Neil Foster; and great-grandchildren, Jack, Joseph, and Justin Harvatine, Kaitlyn Kane, Alex, Chelsea, and Aiden Empet, Ava and Bree Harvatine, Holly, Luke, and Kali Harvatine, and Russell Harvatine; her brother Clinton Sartell, Binghamton; and sisters-in-law Shirley Foster Noll, New Port Richey, FL, Charlotte Foster, Union Dale, and Helen B. Foster, Susquehanna; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Dorothy was predeceased by her son Lyle John in 1964; infant granddaughter Jennifer Irena Harvatine in 1973; her brothers Bruce and Bernard Sartell; and sisters Wanda Bass and Betty Jean Rice.

The family thanks the Pleasant Mount Emergency Services and Union Dale Quick Response Team and the caring staff of the Regional Hospital and Commonwealth Hospice of Scranton.

The funeral was Saturday, March 10 in the Union Dale United Methodist Church with services officiated by Pastor Patricia Hanley. Interment was at Lyon Street Cemetery, Union Dale. Services by the Order of the Eastern Star Laurel Chapter #67 were conducted Friday, March 9.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations to the Endless Mountains Children's Choir (c/o Dr. Christine Plonski-Sezer 641 Plonski Road Thompson PA 18465); Susquehanna County 4-H (88 Chenango Street Montrose PA 18801); Forest City Library (531 Main Street Forest City PA 18421); Pleasant Mount Emergency Services (c/o Robert Muller, Sr. 1561 Upper Woods Road Pleasant Mount PA 18453); or Union Dale Volunteer Fire Department (P.O. Box 191 Union Dale PA 18470).

Robert Murray Shelly, MD, 96, of New Milford, PA and Palm Coast, FL, passed away on Thursday, March 8, 2012 at home after a decline in his health.

He was born in Philadelphia, PA, on October 28, 1915 to the late William Dayton and Elsa Murray Shelly. He was predeceased by his first wife, Florence; his sisters Ann and Elizabeth; and son W. Dayton Shelly, MD.

He is survived by his loving wife, Barbara; his children, daughter Katherine Shelly and Edward Cameron, Ararat Township, PA, son Arthur and Deborah Shelly, Thompson, PA, daughter Jane Shelly, Stanford, CT; daughter-in-law, Dianne Shelly, Tunkhannock, PA; two step-daughters Anita and David Sexton, Deposit, NY and Marcia Vandenbush, Rochester, NY; 12 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews and their families.

Robert was a graduate from Penn Charter School, the University of Pennsylvania and University of Pennsylvania Medical School. He served in the US Navy during WWII and saw action in the Pacific as a Navy doctor attached to the Marines. After he returned he was on staff at Abington and St. Christopher’s Hospital in Philadelphia.

Robert moved to Thompson, PA in 1962, where he took over Dr. Stevens’ general practice. He and Florence worked to finance and help build Barnes Kasson County Hospital, establish outreach clinics for women, youth and the poor. He was instrumental in establishing River Bounty, partnering the Hospital, Susquehanna and Oakland Boroughs to refurbish the hydro-electric works on the dam on the Susquehanna between the boroughs, furnishing electricity for the area and funding for community projects. The Shelly’s hosted numerous young doctors in an effort to bring them into the medical community and brought several to Barnes Hospital. Robert was chief of staff and served on the hospital’s board.

The Shelly’s created a Tree Farm and donated the parcel now known as the Florence Shelly Preserve of The Nature Conservancy in Thompson Township. After retiring, he spent many years in Florida where he became a Master Gardener and volunteered with the Parks Department. He was also a leader in the Palm Coast Garden Club. Robert was a devoted and loving family man who will be missed by all who knew him.

A memorial service was held on Monday, March 12, 2012, at the Hennessey’s Funeral Home, 747 Jackson Ave., Susquehanna, PA with Pastor Edward Cameron officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Barnes Kasson Hospital, 2872 Turnpike Street, Susquehanna, PA; or the Florence Shelly Preserve C/O Kathy Cameron 903 Ridge Road Thompson, PA 18465.