Thelma DeFord Passaro

Thelma DeFord Passaro, 96, of Mechanicsburg PA died peacefully May, 4, 2024 at Brookdale Assisted Living in Mechanicsburg, PA. She was the daughter of the late William Franklin DeFord and Mary Rebecca (Chance) DeFord and the wife of Mark F. Passaro for 63 years until his death in June of 2010.
 
Thelma was a graduate of Caroline High School in Denton MD in 1944.  Upon completion of her studies at Goldy-Beacham Business School of Wilmington DE. she worked for Sears, Roebuck & Co.  Later in life she was a secretary at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church of New Cumberland PA for many years.  She was active in her church, Baughman Memorial United Methodist Church of New Cumberland, PA since 1962 serving on many committees and fund raisers.  She was a member of the New Cumberland Women’s Club, West Shore Rotary Anns and also a Girl Scout leader.  She had many friends at Brookdale Assisted Living where she was a long time president of the Resident Council.  Thelma enjoyed crochet, quilting, sewing, Baltimore Orioles baseball and time with family and friends.  After a stroke in 1994 left her right side mostly paralyzed she persevered by learning to be proficient with her left in her crafts and daily routines.
 
Surviving are her four children, Mary V. Merhar of Carolina Beach NC, Linda S. Wighaman of East Petersburg, PA, Mark F. Passaro Jr. of York Springs PA and Steven D Passaro of Mechanicsburg, PA, sister Eloise Wooden of Florence SC. as well as nine grandchildren, thirteen great grandchildren and two great, great grandchildren.

She is predeceased by sisters Pauline Neal and Kathryn Trice; and brothers, William Jr (infant), Earle, Edward and Charles DeFord.
  
Viewing will be from 10am until funeral services at 11am Thursday, May 9^th at Parthemore Funeral Home, New Cumberland. Private burial at Ft. Indiantown Gap will be held at the convenience of the family.
 
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Christian Appalachian Project, PO Box 55911 Lexington KY, 40555-5911