Jean E. Gottshall Moll
Jean E. Gottshall Moll, 95, a resident of Martinsville, New Jersey for 50 years, died on Wednesday, January 6, 2021. Her life spanned nearly a century of historical changes and adjustments, but she was always grounded in a great love of the Natural World—especially observing birds which she fed daily. Jean was the middle daughter of three girls of parents Hiram K. Gottshall and Anna R. Brunst Gottshall of Lansdale, PA. She was raised and lived there thirty years. After marriage in 1954 to Harvey Donald Moll they lived in nearby Upper Gwynedd Township for twelve years where they began a family of children—Hiram Donald, Pamela Jean, and George Roderick.
Jean graduated from the former Lansdale High School class of 1943. She earned a BA degree in 1947 from Wilson College, Chambersburg, PA majoring in political Science with a minor in history. Her studies continued at the University of Pennsylvania School of Arts and Sciences, graduating with a MA degree in 1948, and elected into the University’s Delta Chapter of Pi Gamma Mu, the National Social Science Honor Society. It was a unique time, as World War II veterans were back at the University completing their interrupted studies. Jean had a traceable nine generation Hunsberger family ancestry which involved her in life long historical associations. However, her career began with several part-time assignments: one as Delinquent School Tax Collector for the Lansdale School District and others privately tracing the ancestry of several citizens—one leading to Governor Robert Treat, a colonial governor of both Connecticut and New Jersey, and another traced to the Potts family of Pottstown, PA.
Later in 1948, Jean was employed as Editorial Assistant at The Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, for a special project they indexed the Society’s 75 volumes of manuscripts. The Society’s director of note was R. Norris Williams II—a survivor of the Titanic, an Olympic tennis champion, and a direct decedent of Benjamin Franklin. This project was completed and published in 1952. Being referred to The Farm journal, Jean then accepted a position in their advertising department as Assistant Merchandising Manager where she stayed until her marriage.
Jean was an active member of both the Reformed and Lutheran Church in Lansdale, serving as a Sunday school teacher and Women’s Guild leader. Their three children were christened at Trinity Lutheran Church—two by Rev. Paul Reumann and one by Rev. John R. Brockhoff. Having studied organ under cousin Arlene Koch, Jean was a summer substitute organist for several local churches. With pride she could claim her name was listed in the Cornerstones of both the United Church of Christ (formerly St. John’s Evangelical and Reform Church) and new Trinity Lutheran Church (considered the largest Lutheran congregation east of the Mississippi River).
With the turbulent years of the 1960’s—three assassinations, the Civil Rights Movement, the Vietnam War, the exploration of Space—Jean’s young family and husband Donald became involved in the global scene when he became Director of International Sales for the Elliot Co.—a division of Carrier Corporation. In 1967, the Molls left their Pennsylvania home base with two company moves—first to Bedford Hills, Westchester County, NY—1969 to Martinsville, Somerset County, NJ— where they established new roots. Here all three children graduated from Bridgewater-Raritan High School East with most of the family remaining in Martinsville for their final days. During the 1970’s, Jean and her husband hosted many business visitors and associates from around the world—some needing State Dept. clearance during the Cold War era. Later in retirement (1983-1992) Jean was employed parttime by Nadine Thomas Fashions and craft boutique, followed by Myra Efinger’s Conversation Piece (music boxes and gifts) both at the same Martinsville Center location.
Ever involved in community activities and official roles, Jean spent 28 years on the Bridgewater Park Board, 18 years as a Somerset County Election Board poll worker, and nearly 10 years on the open Space Advisory Committee of the Somerset County Park Commission. She was a swim buddy—and for 2 years chaired the Somerville Civic League’s swim program for handicapped children—sponsored by the Elks with Red Cross instructors. She also served as a Cub Scout Den Mother for Troop 88. While in Pennsylvania, she was a member and president of the Perkiomen Branch of the AAUW (American Association of University Women) and Founder and President of the Lansdale Branch and officer of the State Board of AAUW.
As a member and officer of the junior League of the Philadelphia Orchestra, concert attendance was maintained as TV was impacting it. She was on the Memorial Committee of the Chapel of the Four Chaplains which honored the Chaplains who gave their life jackets to others as the Dorchester sank in 1943. The Rev. and Mrs. Daniel Poling’s chaplain son made this heroic choice. Mrs. Poling chaired the group. Jean was also a helping contact with the Lansdale adoptive family of Pearl S. Buck’s Welcome House for Korean/Asian orphans. Jean held life membership in the Wilson College Alumnae Association and was a current member of the Lehigh Valley University Tower Society, and the Martinville Community Center. For many years she was active in the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, the Montgomery County Historical Society, PA, the Somerset County Historical Society, NJ, the Middlebrook Camp Ground Association, NJ., and the Philadelphia Cricket Club.
Jean was predeceased by husband Harvey Donald Moll (2001), a daughter Pamela Jean Moll (2006), and a son George Roderick “Rick” Moll (2011), a sister Lucia Annette Gottshall Keely and husband Allen Reiff Keely Sr. Esq., sister Helen Elaine Fretz and brother-in-law Robert Wallace Fretz, a sisterin-law Sarah Evelyn Moll Dennis and husband Rev. William Earl Dennis and their two beloved Keeshond pet dog—Star and Nipar. Surviving are Jean’s eldest son Hiram Donald Moll, and a family associate Garry R. Morgan of Bethlehem, PA and a sister-in-law Selina Sheridan Dennis, Bushkill, PA— nephews Allen R. Keely, Jr. and spouse Marie of Malvern PA, John E. Dennis of NYC—nieces Sarah “Sally” Dennis Case and husband Brian, Sellersville, PA, Robin Annette Keely Pirovano, Savannah, GA, C. Elizabeth Dennis, Perkasie, PA—several first cousins and great nephews and nieces. Also surviving are a family friend Philip S. Mischner, beloved friends Roberta Tehan and Maria Moya of Somerville, NJ, Michele Kuziola of Bound Brook and Florida, and June Vanderveer—loyal Martinsville neighbors and Lansdale, PA school classmates.
Relatives and friends are invited to greet the family from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. on Friday, January 15, 2021 at Huff& Lakjer Funeral Home, 701 Derstine Avenue, Lansdale, PA 19446 with the service to follow at 1:00 p.m. Interment will be at Whitemarsh Memorial Park, Ambler.
Memorial contributions are encouraged to Trinity Lutheran Church, 1000 W. Main Street, Lansdale, PA 19446.
Arrangements by Huff & Lakjer Funeral Home, Lansdale. www.huffandlakjer.com