Times Herald
Norristown PA
September 25, 2011

Mary Jo (Strong) Lake peacefully went to live with our Everlasting
Father on August 2,2011 at the age of 90. A longtime resident of Plymouth
Meeting, she was born in Dunbar, PA on February 21, 1921. She was dearly
loved by her husband of over 50 years, Larkin Lake, who predeceased her
in 1998. Mary Jo was the beloved mother of Larkin W. Lake IV (Fredda),
Linda Boyle (David) and Marilyn Lake-DellAngelo (Richard) and her eldest
daughter, Donna Barrett, who predeceased her in 2000. She is survived by
her dear brother, Edison Kenneth Strong of Clarksville, Tennessee. She
will be greatly missed by her grandchildren, Alissa, Kate, Laura,
Matt, Mark, Kristine, Rine and Julia. Mary Jo graduated from Jefferson
University in Philadelphia, and worked many years as a Registered Nurse
at Montgomery Hospital, with a special love for the newborns in the
nursery. Later in life, she returned to school and earned a BS from
Philadelphia University where she maintained a 4.0 GPA. She juggled
working full-time and motherhood at a time when the two occupations were
often seen as mutually exclusive. She instilled in each of her children
a sense of independence and a deep love for family. Mary Jo remained a
faithful member of Central Presbyterian Church in Norristown until her
death, a span of over 50 years. She was filled with the Holy Spirit and
had a close personal relationship with God and Jesus Christ, attending
services weekly and reading her Bible nightly. Her beautiful alto voice
was heard both in the choir and from the pew. She had a special love
for singing old hymns and other secular music. Mary Jo was a phenomenal
woman and her family and friends thanked God for her exceptional life
at a 90th birthday party in May. Her Celebration of Life will be held at
Central Presbyterian Church, Stanbridge and Airy Streets, in Norristown,
at noon on Sunday, October 23rd. Those attending are encouraged to share
anecdotes about Mary Jo during the service. Donations in Mary Jo's memory
honor her deep love of children and animals and may be made to Smile Train
(http://www.smiletrain.com) or your local animal shelter.