Margaret Schuelkens, 99

September 17, 1924 - March 15, 2024

Margaret Rita Schuelkens (Kitch) was born on September 17, 1924, the daughter of Angelina (Weigand) and Davis Kitch in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. She was married to the love of her life, Raymond Schuelkens, for 70 wonderful years, until his passing in 2014. They had three children, Dennis Schuelkens, Diane Monaghan, and Richard Schuelkens.

Margaret grew up working with her three sisters and brother in the family business at the Strasburg Hotel and Bar in Strasburg, Pennsylvania, before moving to the Poconos. She graduated from Tobyhanna High School before moving to Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Margaret worked at Hamilton Watch Company during World War II and, during this time, she met “Curley” (because he had a perm), Ray Schuelkens, at a USO dance in Lancaster. Ray and Margaret shared a love of life and big band music and dancing, particularly the waltz and jitterbug, and always to their favorite song, “Night and Day.” They were married on September 15, 1944 at St. Anthony Church in Lancaster where they worshipped for the next 75 years. After having her children, Margaret worked for many years as a pharmaceutical technician at Ganse Apothecary until retiring at the age of 80.

Margaret was a woman of many talents and interests and was a dog lover who never went a day without one until she was 93. She had a love of cooking and arguably made the best chicken corn soup in Lancaster County! Margaret had a passion for sewing and often made clothing and stuffed animals for her children and grandchildren. She was a lover of all things, especially chocolate and coffee. She had an insatiable love of laughing, a dry wit that was unsurpassed, and an upbeat spirit that helped her to remain forever young. She enjoyed the comfort of friends, the quiet of falling snow, and the visits of the many interesting birds, especially cardinals, that came to her feeder every day. She embraced the newest technologies and gadgets right up until the end and was a regular on Facebook. She was not afraid to try new things, never shied away from giving her opinions, and embraced all those she loved with all of her heart.

After 93 wonderful years in PA, Margaret moved to Youville Place Assisted Living in Lexington, Massachusetts in 2018 where she thoroughly enjoyed weekly visits from her daughter, granddaughter and great-grandchildren. Margaret continued to find joy in thrice-weekly bingo competitions, monthly ballroom dancing and singing sessions–and various other activities and day trips at Youville. Margaret was welcomed with tremendous warmth by all of the sisters, staff, and residents of Youville–and thoroughly enjoyed her time in residence for the past six years.

Margaret peacefully departed this life surrounded by her family on Friday, March 15, 2024, after 99 blessed years. She is predeceased by her parents Davis and Angelina Kitch; sisters Anna (Robert) Yohn; Catherine (Robert) Feister; Frances (Frank) Fondacaro; brother David Kitch; son Richard Schuelkens; son-in-law Charley Monaghan; daughter-in-law Pat Schuelkens; grandson Paul Monaghan; niece Dolly (Charlie) Walton; and nephews Don Kitch and Bobby Yohn.

She leaves to cherish her memory: her loving son, Dennis Schuelkens of Fleetwood, PA; her devoted daughter, Diane Monaghan of Waltham, MA; her dedicated daughter-in-law, Lisa Schuelkens of Lititz, PA; and her grandson, Fr. Dennis Schuelkens, Jr; granddaughters Cindy Demarco, Beth (Daniel) Rapoza, Beth (Jonathan) Busam, and Laura Schuelkens; plus 11 great grandchildren (Matt, James, Mary, Johnny, Luke, Kelly, Nicholas, Mark, Sebastian, Gabriel, and Genevieve); sister-in-law Lee (David) Kitch; and many nieces and nephews.

Margaret’s life will be celebrated on Saturday, April 6, 2024 at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 501 East Orange Street in Lancaster with Visitation at 10am and Mass at 11am, followed by a reception at Eden Resorts, 222 Eden Road, Lancaster, PA 17601. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to The Emmaus Ministry for Grieving Parents.