Obituary for Effie JoAnn Pritchard
Effie JoAnn Pritchard
Nov. 15, 1937 – Jan. 24, 2022
Effie JoAnn Pritchard, 84, passed away Monday surrounded by her family at Homewood in Martinsburg. She was born in Altoona, daughter of the late Harry McClure Hileman and Effie (Baumgartner) Hileman.
She is survived by her three loving sons: Eric Pritchard (Margaret), Matthew Pritchard and Paul Pritchard (Laura); as well as her wonderful grandchildren: Samuel, Katherine, Jessie, Elizabeth and Walker.
Effie was preceded in death by her parents; and her sister, Constance Piper.
Effie was a very talented musician. She was able to play many different instruments, from the violin to the piano, but her favorite instrument to play was the organ. Effie was a hard-working woman who became the secretary to district congressman James Van Zandt, where she became so good at typing on a typewriter that she could type 125 words per minute. She would follow Congressman Van Zandt down to Washington D.C. to continue to aid him in his duties for a period of time.
She returned to Altoona where she became a caring mother to three boys. She lovingly raised her three boys with a commitment and diligence that was demanded of a single mother in those times having succeeded where many may have failed. For this her sons will be forever grateful.
While raising her sons in Altoona, she worked for Blair Medical, then she took a job with the Railroad Retirement Board where she retired after decades of dedicated service. One of Effie’s favorite parts of her new career was that she was able to travel all over the country to large cities and experience the different cultures while in town training other Railroad Retirement Board members.
She was a talented Pinochle and Canasta player. She loved staying up late playing games with family. Another very special talent that Effie had was the ability to make the “Meanest” peanut butter chocolate fudge. For this, her sons are also eternally grateful.
Family and friends will be received from noon until the 1 p.m. funeral service Thursday Jan. 27, 2022, at The Good Funeral Home Inc., Alto-Reste Park. Interment at Alto-Reste Park.
thegoodfuneralhomeinc.com
Nov. 15, 1937 – Jan. 24, 2022
Effie JoAnn Pritchard, 84, passed away Monday surrounded by her family at Homewood in Martinsburg. She was born in Altoona, daughter of the late Harry McClure Hileman and Effie (Baumgartner) Hileman.
She is survived by her three loving sons: Eric Pritchard (Margaret), Matthew Pritchard and Paul Pritchard (Laura); as well as her wonderful grandchildren: Samuel, Katherine, Jessie, Elizabeth and Walker.
Effie was preceded in death by her parents; and her sister, Constance Piper.
Effie was a very talented musician. She was able to play many different instruments, from the violin to the piano, but her favorite instrument to play was the organ. Effie was a hard-working woman who became the secretary to district congressman James Van Zandt, where she became so good at typing on a typewriter that she could type 125 words per minute. She would follow Congressman Van Zandt down to Washington D.C. to continue to aid him in his duties for a period of time.
She returned to Altoona where she became a caring mother to three boys. She lovingly raised her three boys with a commitment and diligence that was demanded of a single mother in those times having succeeded where many may have failed. For this her sons will be forever grateful.
While raising her sons in Altoona, she worked for Blair Medical, then she took a job with the Railroad Retirement Board where she retired after decades of dedicated service. One of Effie’s favorite parts of her new career was that she was able to travel all over the country to large cities and experience the different cultures while in town training other Railroad Retirement Board members.
She was a talented Pinochle and Canasta player. She loved staying up late playing games with family. Another very special talent that Effie had was the ability to make the “Meanest” peanut butter chocolate fudge. For this, her sons are also eternally grateful.
Family and friends will be received from noon until the 1 p.m. funeral service Thursday Jan. 27, 2022, at The Good Funeral Home Inc., Alto-Reste Park. Interment at Alto-Reste Park.
thegoodfuneralhomeinc.com