Marian Hess

Marian Hess, 98, of Lancaster went home to heaven on Friday, December 29, 2023 at Calvary Homes, Lancaster, PA. She was the loving widow of Edward S. Hess. Marian was a caring and thoughtful woman. Having married Ed and moved to the farm as a young bride, she brought order and care to all she encountered. She was a wonderful partner to Ed through years of truck farming, Hampshire sheep showing and shepherding, and then by supporting him in successfully founding and building Hess Bros. Fruit Company, along with his brother Arthur. They began this apple business in the early 1960s from which he retired in the 90s. Marian was most of all very devoted to her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. This was lived out in her community where she organized and helped lead neighborhood bible studies in their little town of Oregon. She also helped to start “Study and Share” bible study at Calvary Church where she was a faithful member for many years. Over her lifetime she opened her home to many guests, some for one evening and some for many months. She loved to keep a tidy home and enjoyed working in her flower gardens and yard. To her last days, she spent many hours in prayer for her family and those God had placed in her life. During visits by old neighbors, relatives, and friends, including the nurses who cared for her, she loved to tell stories from her life, to connect deeply with others, and to help point them to the truth of Jesus’s grace and redemption. Marian had the tragedy of losing her mother at age two and her father and stepmother at age eleven. In her mother's obituary, her sister wrote these words which her mother shared not long before she passed: “Tell my daughter that I am going to the angels, and I will wait for her there.” What a long-awaited and wonderful reunion Marian must be having with those who have gone before her, which are many! Marian is survived by her daughter, Rebecca Thompson and her husband, John Thompson of Leola, her son, Pastor Thomas Hess and wife, Kate Hoffman Hess of Jerusalem, Israel, daughter-in-law, Bonnie Welch Hess, Lancaster, granddaughter Jessica Leigh Hess of Nashville, TN and six step-grandsons. In addition to her husband, Edward, she was preceded in death by her son, Edward “Tedd” Hess and her brother, H. Eugene Herr. Relatives and friends are invited to a Memorial Service that will be held at the Chapel at Calvary Homes, 502 Elizabeth Drive, Lancaster PA 17601 on Saturday, January 20, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. with Chaplain Kevin Brown officiating. A visitation will take place from 1:00 p.m. until the time of service. A private interment will be held at Landis Valley Mennonite Cemetery. A live stream will be available at: https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/5947196711 In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Marian’s name to Green Meadow Farm, www.greenmeadowfarm.org or to Jerusalem House of Prayer for All Nations, www.jhopfan.org.