Mary Hays Kiger

Mary Hays Kiger of Ickesburg, PA, formerly of Malvern, PA, passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 21st at Tel Hai Retirement Community. She was the beloved wife of the late Don Kiger with whom she shared 54 years of marriage at the time of his passing in 2017.

Mary is survived by her daughters Pam Kiger and her companion Sean Ferrance of Virginia Beach, VA and Debi Nask and her husband Bob Nask of Honey Brook, PA; a brother, Charlie Hays of Elmwood, TN, and grandchildren Samantha, Brenna and Evan and a host of nephews, cousins and long-time friends.

Mary was born Mary Lowe Hays on July 15th, 1944 in Williamsport, PA to Charles and Mildred Hays. She was a graduate of Loyalsock Township High School and excelled at several careers over her lifetime. She was a hard worker, but Mary loved even harder.

Mary enjoyed spending time with her family and her extensive network of friends. Always willing to lend a hand or sympathetic ear, she never met a stranger. She loved to read anything she could get her hands on from magazines to novels. The outdoors held a special place in her heart and she spent countless hours camping, fishing and gardening. Mary mastered every skill and craft she attempted, and there were quite a few that caught her attention. She enjoyed making elaborate doll houses, painted handmade Christmas ornaments for friends and family and was a talented artist. Mary was a wonderful baker and was known not only for her beautiful wedding cakes and cookie plates she blessed lucky friends and family members with, but also for her award-winning apple crumb pies. She loved Halloween and would spend a month transforming the family living room and porch into a haunted house for the neighborhood Trick or Treaters when her daughters were growing up. Mary was a true animal lover and cared for her pets including a horse, dogs and cats and at various times of her life, some temporary residents which included an injured crow, a snapping turtle and a slew of frogs hatched and kept for a while so that her daughters could watch them grow from eggs. Unafraid of a challenge, you can’t talk about Mary without talking about what a tough as nails women she was. Mary might have been tiny, but her heart was huge.

At Mary’s request, there will be no funeral or memorial service. Her life, for now, will speak for itself. James J. Terry Funeral Home, Inc., Downingtown has been entrusted with arrangements.