Obituary of Rachael Albright Parsons

Rachael Jane Albright Parsons, 93, of Pennsylvania Furnace, died Monday, February 19, 2018, at Mt. Nittany Medical Center. Born April 3, 1924, in Marengo, she was the daughter of Frank and B. Grace Grove Albright. She married William J. Parsons on August 17, 1946. He preceded her in death on February 14, 2015. Rachael is survived by three children, Janet Parsons of Duncannon, Eddie Parsons and wife Deanne of Shippensburg, and JoAnn Parsons of State College, and daughter-in-law Grace Matiru of Williston, VT. A fourth child, Robert, preceded her in death on February 16, 2018. She had three grandchildren, Trish Parsons married to Kevin Cummings, Shawn Parsons married to Rebecca Heckman, and Jesse Parsons of Williston, VT, and two great grandchildren, James Michael Cummings and Madeline Quinn Parsons. She is also survived by a brother-in-law Stewart Williams, and many nieces and nephews. She was also preceded in death by her brothers Lester, Russell and Randall; sisters Shirley Moore and Lois Albright; and one cousin, Emeline Rudy, who was raised as a sister. She was the last of her generation. Rachael graduated from State College High School in 1942. She worked at Shaffer Store in Tyrone and then the John R. Wald Company in Tyrone where she earned, along with her co-workers, the Army-Navy Production Award for Excellence in War Production. After she married William, she worked side-by-side with her husband on their dairy farm in Rock Spring, which later became the Ag. Progress Days site. After leaving the farm she worked for the US Postal Service for 15 years. Rachael was a member of the Pine Grove Presbyterian Church, the Phillipsburg Auxiliary of the Presbyterian Homes of Windy Hill Village, the Baileyville Grange 1991, many farmers organizations, and was always willing to lend a hand with any community organization or need. Visitation for both Rachael and her son Bob will be held on Sunday, February 25, from 2-4 and 6-8 pm at Koch Funeral Home, 2401 S. Atherton Street, State College. Funeral Service for both Rachael and Bob will be held on Tuesday, February 27, at 11:00 a.m. at the Pine Grove Presbyterian Church, 150 West Pine Grove Road, Pine Grove Mills, with the Reverend Carl Campbell officiating. Burial will be in the Graysville Cemetery. A luncheon to celebrate the lives of Rachael and Bob will be hosted immediately following burial at the Lion's Club Park in Pine Grove Mills. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Pine Grove Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 241, Pine Grove Mills, PA 16868, in memory of Rachael Parsons. Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College. Online condolences and signing of the guestbook may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com.