Mary Raphael

November 16, 1925 - September 17, 2007

Mary Louise Lehman Raphael, beloved wife, mother, homemaker and former teacher, passed away peacefully at home Monday, Sept. 17, 2007. Funeral: 8:30 a.m. Friday at Blessing Funeral Home, 401 Elm St., Mansfield. Interment: Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery, Dallas. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, please send any donations to a charity of choice in memory of Mary. She was born Mary Louise Lehman in Johnston, Pa., on Nov. 16, 1925, to Rhea Blough Lehman and Luther E. Lehman. After graduating from Westmont Upper Yoder High School in Johnstown, Pa., she attended and graduated from Gettysburg College in Gettysburg, Pa., where she met her future husband, Joseph. Mary was a lifelong Lutheran as well as a member of both the Daughters of the American Revolution and Chi Omega Sorority. She was a veteran of countless cross-country moves and was well-known for her quick wit, delightful sense of humor and strength of convictions. She will be deeply missed. She was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Joseph L. Raphael; a sister, Marilyn Lehman; and brother-in-law, Richard Aveni. Survivors: Daughter, Katherine Raphael Coleman of Allentown, Pa.; son, Joseph Clifton Raphael of Tulsa, Okla.; brother, Robert Lehman of Charlottesville, Va.; sister, Barbara Lehman Aveni of Chambersburg, Pa.; daughter-in-law, Laura Clapp Raphael; son-in-law, Richard Coleman; sister-in-law, Margaret Lehman; two nephews; two nieces; and three grandnephews.