Margaret Ann Gouge of Gap

Margaret Ann Gouge, 63, of Gap, was born in Lancaster on April 14, 1951, daughter of Ruth Martin Hershey of Kennett Square and the late John H. Hershey. She passed away on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2014 in Philadelphia after a brief battle with brain cancer.

Margaret loved to give to others and her great joy was her grandchildren. Margaret will be greatly missed by her husband of 41 years Larry, her daughter Lisa, wife of Jeremy Leaman of Tenn., and her son Jon Gouge, of Gap. She was Nana to Natalee, Carter, AJ, and Celeste Leaman. Also surviving are four sisters, Elaine, wife of Rev. Donald Propert of Belfast, N.Y., Jane Hershey of Potter Hollow, N.Y., Gloria, wife of Anthony Iacono of Friendship, N.Y., Elizabeth, wife of the late Ernest Ross of Kennett Square and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by a sister Rhoda Louise Hershey.

Margaret was a past member of Willowdale Chapel, Kennett Square where she served as secretary and in the church library. She was currently a member at Calvary Monument Bible Church, Paradise where she also served in the library as well as on the decorating committee and in the church nursery and preschool room. Margaret graduated from Unionville High School class of ’69. She helped her husband Larry in several ventures including their own business, Wicker +. Margaret also volunteered at Jars of Hope. She was a dedicated wife and mother, homeschooling her son Jon from elementary school through high school.

A celebration of Margaret’s life will be held on Sunday, Dec. 7 at 4 p.m. at Calvary Monument Bible Church, 1660 Mine Road, Paradise with Pastors Donald Propert and Bryan Sanders officiating. The family will greet friends at the church on Sunday from 1:30 until time of service. Interment will be private at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Margaret’s memory to The Factory Ministries, PO Box 282, Paradise, PA 17562.

Arrangements by Shivery Funeral Home, Inc, Christiana & Paradise. shiveryfuneralhome.com