Carol H. Mayer

Carol H. Mayer, 90, passed away peacefully at The Mennonite Home on November 5, 2017, with her husband and oldest daughter by her side. Carol was born on December 19, 1926, the only child of William Henry Huffman and Grace Estelle Printz Huffman. She was fondly known as “Lois Carol” in her hometown of Luray, Virginia. She was proud of her Virginia heritage and never lost that trace of Southern accent in her voice. Carol attended Marion Junior College in Marion, Virginia, and graduated from Roanoke College in Salem, Virginia, in 1948. During her first week at Roanoke, she met another transfer student, Kenneth S. Mayer, who became the love of her life. Ken and Carol recently celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary. Ken and Carol spent the first few years of married life in Richmond, Virginia, and then moved to the Rodgers Forge neighborhood of Baltimore in 1955, where they raised their children and created many happy memories. In 2002, Ken and Carol moved to a lovely apartment at Woodcrest Villa in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where they made new friends and enjoyed trips and activities. Carol was a lifelong Lutheran, most recently a member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Neffsville, Pennsylvania. In addition to her devoted husband, Carol is survived by her three daughters and their families: Nancy Mayer Hughes, married to Kevin P. Hughes, of Lancaster, PA, and their son, John Kenneth Hughes, of Philadelphia, PA; Wendy M. Roberts, married to Ralph C. Roberts, of Cornelius, NC, and their daughters, Laura Carol Roberts Bowen, married to Oliver E. Bowen, of Redwood City, CA, and their son, Alexander Edward Bowen, and Christina Meredith Roberts, of Charleston, SC; and Julie Pedelini, married to Guy F. Pedelini, of Lancaster, PA, and their son, Daniel Bruce Pedelini. Carol was looking forward to the birth of a second great-grandson in January. Carol was a teacher’s aide in the Baltimore County Public School System for sixteen years. After retirement, Carol and Ken enjoyed camping across the country in their tent, went on several cruises and traveled to a number of places in Europe. Carol had a lovely soprano voice and sang in her church choir for many years. Her daughters have fond memories of listening to her play the piano and sing as they fell asleep. A gifted storyteller, Carol enjoyed writing and belonged to two Life Stories groups. She was quite proud that several of her stories were published in the Lancaster newspaper as “I Know a Story.” Carol’s interests also included reading, photography, crossword puzzles, sewing, knitting and genealogy. Carol was always cheerful, helpful and fun loving. She was a favorite of her grandchildren for her willingness to play with them, especially cards and board games. She was a wonderful wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother and great-grandmother, who will be deeply missed. Her family will hold a private memorial service.