Gwendolyn Ann “Peak” Fitzmaurice Epping, 88, of North Lewisburg, died Thursday, Jan. 10, 2019, in her home surrounded by her loving family.
In 1853, her grandparents came to the United States from Ireland on a boat called the Hemisphere. She was very proud of her Irish heritage. She liked collecting stamps, mushroom hunting and playing canasta. She enjoyed watching and feeding birds and gardening, especially tending to her pumpkins.
She was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in North Lewisburg and the Marysville Moose, and worked in the activities department at Mercy McAuley Center, where she enjoyed dressing as a leprechaun for Irish parties. Most of all, she loved visiting with family and friends. She was the backbone of her family and was loved by all and never knew a stranger.
She was born Feb. 5, 1930, in Dayton, to the late William B. and Dorothy R. (Caswell) Fitzmaurice. In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by her husband, Donald J. Epping; son, Patrick J. Epping; brother, Maurice (Bud) Fitzmaurice; sister, Patricia Lois Fitzmaurice; and special friend, Bill “Wally” Wallace.
She is survived by her daughters, Sharon (Bob) Epping Burnett, Donna (Bill) Epping Boitnott and Karen (Howard) Epping Radford; son, Bill (Jennie) Epping; daughter-in-law, Connie Melms; 13 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; sister, Kathleen Schumacher; numerous nieces and nephews; and special friend, Vera McKee.
A gathering of family and friends will be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Freshwater, McDonald and Vernon Funeral Home, North Lewisburg. The Rev. Ignatius Madanu will serve as a celebrant for a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Immaculate Conception Church, North Lewisburg. Burial will follow at Maple Grove Cemetery, North Lewisburg.
Condolences may be made to the family at www.vernonfh.com.