Esther "Tekie" (Grealey) Wise, age 90, wife of the late Irvin E. Wise Jr., of Phoenixville, PA, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family on Saturday, February 19, 2022. Born May 20, 1931, in Charlestown Township, PA, she was a daughter of the late John F. and Elizabeth (Moore) Grealey.
Esther was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, friend, caregiver and Christian. She was a graduate of the class of 1950, from Phoenixville Area High School. Esther, worked as a Kitchen Manger in the East Pikeland Elementary cafeteria for ten years during her children's elementary years. She was very active in her children's lives with scouting, PTA, baseball, band and the list goes on and on. Her adult life was spent as a life of Service. She was a true Lady of the house and was the embodiment of what a homemaker was. It did not matter what house she was in from camping trips to the beach, to the lakes of Canada, where she spent summers with her family. Her home and heart were a welcoming place to so many as she cared for all.
She was a faithful, active member of St. Peter's Pikeland United Church of Christ in Chester Springs. Her love of the church was evident throughout her life, from teaching Sunday school, summer bible school, to being the longtime President of St. Peter's Sewing Circle and the Pickering Valley Needlework Guild. She had a love of sewing and quilting, and would make clothing, blankets, and quilts for her children and grandchildren as well as providing handmade baby clothes, blankets, and other items to those in need. Her love of caring and providing for others was evident in all that she did in her life. She was an avid gardener, who enjoyed endless hours of tending to her flower and vegetable gardens. She loved to can and grow her own food to cook and serve to others. She loved animals of all kinds, dogs, cats, and chickens. She loved songbirds and enjoyed feeding them and watching them from her kitchen window. In her final years she spent her time with her faithful canine, Duncan who brought her much comfort and companionship.
Esther is survived by her six children, Christine Wise, wife of the late John Favinger, Kathy, wife of Steven Krasley, Kenneth Wise, husband of Luba Martyniak, David Wise, partner of Kathy Saville, Sally, wife of Ian Mansmann, and Suzanna, wife of William Derer III; six grandchildren, Rita, wife of Matthew Biddle, Lila, wife of Wes Sollenberger, Timothy Mansmann, husband of Allison Chang, Benjamin Mansmann, David Wise Jr., and Lillian, wife of Dakota Schoppe; eight great-grandchildren, Keith, Annika, Jenna, Zane Biddle, Makayla, Colt John, Tori Sollenberger and Gannon Derer; her extended family, niece, Gail Grealey, nephew, Wayne Wise, step-granddaughter Robin Dermigny, wife of Michael Dermigny and step-grandsons Nolan and Aaron, Ted Root, Steven Smart and countless others. She was preceded in death by her siblings, Margaret, Sarah, George, John, William, Joseph, Claude, Hannah, and Donald.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend her memorial service at St. Peter's Pikeland United Church of Christ, 1193 Clover Mill Road, Chester Springs, PA on Saturday, February 26, 2022, at 11:00 am. Masks will be requested in the church. Officiating will be Rev. Douglas Hanson. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Friends will be received from 10:00 am - 11:00 am Saturday at the church prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her name to the St. Peter's Pikeland UCC Sewing Circle at the address above.
Condolences may be made by visiting www.PhoenixvilleFuneralHome.com.
Arrangements are being managed by the Campbell - Ennis - Klotzbach Funeral Home, Inc., Phoenixville, Pennsylvania.