Maryann H. Caldwell

“We can do no great things – only small things with great love.” -- Mother Teresa Maryann Caldwell committed many thousand small acts of great love throughout her life, impacting countless lives. Her relentlessly upbeat attitude, calm demeanor and thoughtful nature enriched the lives of everyone in her community. Maryann passed on September 23, 2013 with her family by her side. Her acts of great love will live on through her family and friends. She grew up in Monticello, New York, the daughter of Samuel and Mary A. Handsman and the youngest of four siblings, and attended the Monticello Public Schools, graduating in 1968. Her childhood was filled with swimming and skating, close friends, Saturday morning cartoons, the family’s dogs and cats, and working along with her mother and sister at the local phone company. Maryann came to Pennsylvania to attend Wilson College and ended up staying a lifetime. She met a quiet, long-haired musician from Franklin & Marshall named John during an Urban Semester in Harrisburg. “I like this boy and I think I’m going to marry him,” she said when she first laid eyes on him. Nine months later, that’s exactly what she did. It was a solid hunch. They celebrated their 42nd anniversary last week. Maryann and John settled down in Lancaster where they began to make a life together. Maryann would go back to school to become a RN and launch a varied and rewarding nursing career. She spent the last 14 years as a school nurse in the School District of Lancaster. Maryann always had a home that was warm and welcoming. It was filled by her daughter, Rebecca, and her son, Chris, and most times, a few of their friends. Maryann loved to decorate the house for holidays, and cook and entertain for guests. Her homemade pizza, macaroni and cheese, and banana bread will never be forgotten. She loved her garden, knitting (although she never seemed to actually finish anything), and her cat, Annie. She was extremely giving with both her time and money, rarely forgot the birthdays of her beloved nine nieces and nephews (or their eight children), and had a wonderful sense of humor. This summer, Maryann became a Grandmother to Celia. She settled into her role as Grandmother instantly, providing the same unconditional love and support to Celia that she had always provided to those close to her. In addition to her husband, John Caldwell, Maryann is survived by her son, Chris Caldwell; her daughter, Rebecca Salsbury, married to Ben Salsbury; granddaughter, Celia Salsbury; brothers Samuel Handsman and Russell Handsman; and sister, Maribeth Handsman. All of us who knew and loved Maryann will be forever grateful for the joy, compassion and kindness that she brought to our lives. Despite our collective grief and sadness, we would like to say goodbye to Maryann with a celebration of a life that was full of hope, love and happiness. A gathering for family and friends will take place Friday, October 18, 2013 at 10:00 a.m., at The Groffs Family Funeral & Cremation Services, 528 West Orange St., Lancaster, PA 17603 (corner of W. Orange and Pine). Please dress joyfully to help commemorate the way Maryann lived her life. In lieu of flowers, donations in Maryann’s name may be made to one of the following organizations: Hospice & Community Care, PO Box 4125, Lancaster, PA 17604-4125 (www.hospicecommunity.org), or The Lancaster Public Library, 125 N. Duke St., Lancaster, PA 17602 (www.lancaster.lib.pa.us).

Maryann H. Caldwell

September 28, 2013