Ethelmae McSparren

On Wednesday, February 08, 2017 Ethelmae McSparren, 83, died at Brethren Village after a 13 year journey with Alzheimer’s disease. She was born in Reading, PA. Her parents, both deceased, were Alton and and Garnella Herb Auchenbach. Ethelmae moved with her parents to Lancaster in eighth grade, where her father, master machinist, became professor of machine shop and math at Thaddeus Stevens Trade School. She graduated from McCaskey High School in 1951 and Millersville State Teachers College (now Millersville University) in 1955 cum luade, with a BS in Psychology. There she was President of the Dolphins Swim Club. Ethelmae was married to Clark McSparren, Jr., celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary in August 2016. Although she first met Clark in 8th grade, the two fell in love during college, then married Aug. 25, 1956, after Ethelmae’s first year teaching fifth grade in Wayne, PA, and Clark having finished his first year at University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. She is survived, in addition to her husband, Clark, by three daughters: Lisa Hatheway, married to Frank, Washington, DC; Susan Fellman, married to William, Honey Brook, PA, and Jennifer Miller, widow of Mark, Downingtown, PA. Ethelmae is also survived by six grandchildren: Kate Hatheway, Clark Hatheway, married to Jia Coco Liu, Ian Miller, Colin Miller, AlyssaRose Fellman, and Lindsey Fellman. Ethelmae taught 5th grade for two years at Wayne Elementary School, then “retired” to raise their three daughters, Lisa and Susan, born in Philadelphia, PA, and Jennifer, born in Portsmouth, NH. The family returned to Lancaster, PA, in 1964 for Clark to join Lancaster Pediatrics Associates, in partnership with Charles H. Kurtz, MD. When youngest daughter, Jennifer, was a senior in high school, Ethelmae returned to Millersville University, graduating in 1983 with a Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology. Her Master’s thesis was entitled, “Fetal Alcohol Syndrome”. For the next 22 years she practiced at Lancaster Guidance Center and other non-profit groups as a clinical therapist, working successfully with adolescents and young adults. Music had always played an important role in Ethelmae’s life. Her father, whose first job in high school was playing background music in the local silent film theatre, was Ethelmae’s first piano teacher. Later she was an accompanist for her highschool and college choirs and was soprano in State Chorus while at Millersville. During the 70’s she pursued a growing interest in Classical and Renaissance music, which prompted her husband to build her a dual manual harpsichord, which she played in several recitals at St. James Episcopal Church. These included a performance of JS Bach’s Christmas Oratoria, with professional musicians from Lancaster and Philadelphia. As a member of the Junior League of Lancaster, Ethelmae served as Patron Chair for the Fulton Follies of 1975, chaired Admissions, Placement, and Newssheet Committees, served on the Task force on Child Abuse, and conducted hearing exams for Head Start preschoolers. Ethelmae served for 12 years on the Board of Trustees of Lancaster Country Day School, during which time she established the Alumni Office and served as its first Alumni Secretary for six years. Years later, she was reading tutor at Carter & MacRae Elementary School and homework helper at Boys & Girls Club of Lancaster’s Jack Walker Clubhouse, where she was awarded Volunteer of the Year in 2003. As a member of St. James Episcopal Church in inner city Lancaster since 1976, she served three terms on Vestry, chaired Annual Giving in 1980, served breakfast at Anchorage, established a bereavement group for parish widows and widowers, and organized, vetted and awarded college scholarships for students of the church. Ethelmae enjoyed playing tennis for years, designing and sewing her own clothes, planting and enjoying flowers, swimming, summer jaunts with her family to Avalon, NJ, and trips to Europe with husband Clark. However, her most cherished moments were preparing holiday meals for her children and grandchildren and bonding with each of those grandchildren during their first week of life. In spite of the relentless decade of progression of Alzheimer’s dementia, Ethelmae’s ability to light up and respond to music, any music, remained intact, offering her continued joy, a joy which she had imparted to so many others. A Requiem Eucharist that celebrates Ethelmae’s life, assisted by Groffs Family Funeral Services, will be held at St. James Episcopal Church, Duke and Orange Streets, Lancaster, on Saturday, February 18, 2017, at 11:00 AM, with The Rev. David Peck officiating. There will be an opportunity to meet with family and friends on Saturday at 9:30 until 10:45 when a musical presentation will begin. Interment following the service will take place in St. James Memorial Garden. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to St. James Episcopal Church, Duke and Orange Streets, Lancaster, PA 17602 or Carter & MacRae School, to benefit Ollie’s Closet, 251 S. Prince St., Lancaster, PA 17603.

Ethelmae McSparren

February 8, 2017