Natalie C. Gehosky

Natalie C. Gehosky, 74, of New Cumberland, passed away on Saturday, October 28, 2017 in Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD.

Natalie was a joyous woman whose love for those she met was written in the fold of her smile and the brightness of her eyes. She lived to serve. She knew this to be the greatest of all aspirations. The call of service to others is one she heeded early in life. Earning her Nurses pin from Mercy Hospital in Johnstown, PA in 1964, Natalie was a life-long caregiver. She volunteered her nursing expertise wherever she was needed. From blood pressure screenings at the local pharmacy to family creek cleanup events for the Yellow Breeches Watershed Association, Natalie was there. As a Registered Nurse, Natalie worked for 28 years with Crumay Parnes Associates in Camp Hill.

Natalie gave abundantly throughout her life. She ministered to the spiritual needs of so many. Her patient listening has healed many troubled hearts. She and her husband Lou volunteered to conduct numerous Pre-Cana weekends for engaged couples. Natalie was also promoter and chief organizer for the Women’s Retreat at Elkin’s park. These annual retreats for women confirmed for Natalie the life sustaining quality of communion with others and was one way she sought to empower women. She helped in the founding of the Shalom House in Harrisburg. This safe haven provides refuge for abused and battered women. Natalie felt keenly the costs of injustice and fought against them always.

As a member of St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, Natalie was a co-founder of the Social Justice Committee. With the committee, she organized educational workshops for her community and raised funds to champion causes promoting human dignity. As an associate sister of the Sisters of Mercy, she answered a call from God to actively engage in a commitment to mercy. Natalie was a good steward of the Earth. She saw clearly that there can be no lasting mercy or justice without sanctifying and preserving the Earth. For the Tidewater Appalachian Trail Club in Virginia she logged over 100 hours of trail maintenance in 2016

Natalie brought people together and marshaled their passions. She produced a film on the History of Elkin’s Park to raise money for the Dominican Sisters to maintain the retreat house. Natalie organized a bike team with her family to help raise funds for Frederick’s Ataxia Research Alliance (FARA). For the last two years, Natalie organized the New Cumberland Library plant sale to raise money for the Friends of the Library. Most recently, she organized a Christmas in July sale for the Friends of the Library.

But most of all Natalie was a dear wife, mother and grandmother. To her family she gave the greatest part of herself. She introduced us to the wonders of the Maine coast. She led us on canoe trips down the Susquehanna River. She brought us into the wilderness on deep adventure bike rides. She taught her granddaughters to be brave and confident women. She nurtured and cared for and loved us all the days of her life.

Natalie was born in Johnstown, Cambria County to the late Peter and Eva (Tomyanovich) Velich. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother Ronald Velich and a sister Mary Szweda.

She is survived by her husband of more than 53 years, Louis M. Gehosky, Jr.; four children, David L. Gehosky of Philadelphia, Craig M. Gehosky of Marietta, PA, Karen M. Tice of Shillington and Kenneth P. Gehosky and wife Tracy of Camp Hill; two sisters, Ann Torchia of Johnstown and Rose Mary Vrable of Mt. Prospect, IL; and five granddaughters, Emma, Eva and Ella Tice and Elise and Jane Gehosky.

A memorial service will be celebrated at 11:00 am on Saturday December 2nd at the Susquehanna Club on the New Cumberland Army Depot Installation with the Rev. Lynn Cox as Celebrant. Please use the Ross Ave. Gate entrance.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are respectfully requested to Friends of the New Cumberland Library. One Benjamin Court, New Cumberland PA 17070.

To send messages of condolence to Natalie’s family please visit www.Parthemore.com .