Mary Alice (Smale) VanDyke, 89, widow of Wallace Henry VanDyke, passed away on Thursday, January 25, 2024, at Lehigh Valley Hospital (Allentown, PA) surrounded by her family. Born in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, Mary was the daughter of the late George and Beatrice (Moyer) Smale. Mary graduated from Pottstown High School (1952) and earned her bachelor’s degree in education from Kutztown Teacher’s College (1956). For 45 years, she proudly taught kids from pre-K to 5th grade.

A natural teacher and mentor, Mary started her teaching career at Lincoln and Jefferson elementary schools in Pottstown. She later taught in Baltimore, Maryland, and at Lower Pottsgrove Elementary School. She retired from Gateway Elementary School in Fort Myers, Florida in 2005. Her gift was teaching first graders to read. She once said she “would like to be rich enough to teach for fun – a kind of Mary Poppins!” One of her first-grade students, Elizabeth, wrote to Mary in a thank you card, “I wish I didn’t have to go to second grade, but I do.”

A faithful Christian all her life, Mary was baptized, confirmed, and held leadership roles at New Hanover Evangelical Lutheran Church in Gilbertsville. Before moving to Fort Myers in 1985, she taught or directed Sunday School classes for 20 years. The late Pastor Edgar Cooper was an important influence throughout her youth and later as she raised a family in the church. After living in Florida for 35 years, she and Wally returned to Pennsylvania to reconnect with family and their church community.

Beyond her professional and spiritual endeavors, Mary was a sharp Bridge card player, an avid walker, and a teddy bear collector. She and her sister Hazel enjoyed sewing and making matching ‘sister dresses’ from a young age. She continued sewing outfits for special occasions, even making fancy coats. As a dedicated member of the quilting group at Gateway Trinity Lutheran Church in Fort Myers, Florida, Mary created quilts for the local children’s hospital. She was appreciated for her attention to detail.

In addition to her other interests, Mary enjoyed music with her siblings from an early age, playing piano at home and flute in the Pottstown High marching band. She continued to play her flute as an adult. Mary and Wally attended many concerts and theater. In her last years at Chestnut Knoll living facility in Boyertown, Pennsylvania, she greatly enjoyed the community bands – clapping her hands to the rhythm. Even in her last hours, she tapped her toes to “Amazing Grace” and “Jesus Loves Me”.

Mary is survived by her sister, Hazel (Smale) Levan, wife of John, and four children, Valerie (VanDyke) Phillips, wife of Douglas; Jonathan VanDyke, husband of Carol; Daniel VanDyke, husband of Diane; and Andrew VanDyke. She is also survived by nine grandchildren, Patrick VanDyke, partner of Doug Mitzak; Paige (Phillips) Hunt, wife of Christopher; Alexander VanDyke, husband of Brittany; Elyse (Phillips) Imbriaco, wife of Timothy; Brian VanDyke; Shelby (VanDyke) Sinclair; Christian VanDyke; Alaina VanDyke; and Zachary VanDyke; as well as three great-grandsons.

In addition to her parents and husband of 63 years, Mary is preceded in death by her brother, Harold Smale, husband of Patricia.

Family and friends are invited to a visitation on Wednesday, January 31, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at New Hanover Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2941 Lutheran Rd, Gilbertsville, PA 19525. A funeral service will follow at 11 a.m. Burial will be in New Hanover Church Cemetery. The sevice will be live streamed at the following web address. http://www.youtube.com/@nhelc7389

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mary’s name to the music program at New Hanover Evangelical Lutheran Church at http://tinyurl.com/NHELCMusicProgram.