Lois W. Treese

Lois Audrey Ward Treese, age 87, passed away peacefully on May 8, 2020 due to complications of Parkinson’s Disease. She was born April 14, 1933 in Oakmont, Pennsylvania to Charles and Bessie Ward. On August 28, 1958 Lois married her loving husband, the Reverend Donald Howard Treese, who preceded her in death in 2011. Her son and eldest child, Joel Donald Treese, also preceded her in death in 2016. Also preceding her in death are her sisters Geraldine Monk and Norma Conti, as well as her brother, Robert Ward.

As a youngster, Lois’ nickname was “Mighty Mouse." She was very active in her home Presbyterian church in Oakmont as well as many school activities. An intelligent young woman, Lois attended Indiana University in Pennsylvania where she earned a teaching degree in Elementary Education. She went on to become a kindergarten teacher and loved to tell stories of the children she had in her classes.

When she married Donald, she stopped teaching and took on the full-time job of being a pastor’s wife and mother to three children; Joel Donald, Laura Grace, and Hope Anne. She was very involved in the work of the churches where her husband served, especially the United Methodist Women groups. Lois had a strong, life-long interest in theology.

Lois greatly loved music. She enjoyed singing in the various church choirs. Every Christmas Day, she played Handel’s “Messiah” as she prepared Christmas dinner.

During her life, Lois also was able to travel abroad, accompanying Donald on several trips related to his work at the Board of Higher Education and Ministry. Their travel included trips to Kenya and Zimbabwe, as well as China. She enjoyed living in Cambridge, England on two separate six-month sabbaticals with Don, where they traveled the UK extensively.

Lois loved planting and nurturing a variety of flowers and plants. She also had an affinity for rock gardens and loved all kinds of birds.

When her children were raised, she worked in the Cancer Research Department of Vanderbilt University Medical School in Nashville, Tennessee. While living in Nashville, she volunteered at an inner city soup kitchen and participated in prison ministry.

In later years, When Lois and Donald retired to Carlisle, Pennsylvania, she enjoyed serving on the Board of Bosler Library. She also loved going to garage sales and antiquing.

Lois is survived by her sisters Laura Forsyth and Charlotte Burd, as well as her daughters, Laura Treese and Hope Doherty. She is also survived by her grandson, Evan Clarke Doherty and various cousins, nieces and nephews.

Lois’ wishes were to be cremated. There will be a private family service at a later date.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, please make a donation to: michaeljfox.org, the leader in research to find a cure for Parkinson’s Disease or to your local library.

Arrangements are being handled by Hoffman Funeral Home & Crematory, 2020 W. Trindle Road, Carlisle PA 17013.