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Kathleen Anna Shorb

Kathleen Anna Shorb, 95, of Emmitsburg, beloved wife, mother, and friend passed into heaven on Saturday, June 29, 2013. She had resided at St. Catherine's Nursing Center in Emmitsburg since 2006. Born January 15, 1918, in Emmitsburg, she was the daughter of the late Robert and Ethel Rodgers Topper . She was the wife of the late Charles "Toss" Shorb who died August 27, 1980.

Kathleen was a life-long member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Emmitsburg. She was active in the Sodality of the Blessed Virgin Mary for many years and raised her five children in the church. She graduated from St. Euphemia's Elementary School and St. Joseph High School, which later became known as St. Joseph College.

Kathleen loved the Daughters of Charity and worked for them for many years following her graduation from high school, first at the high school, and later at the St. Joseph Provincial House in Emmitsburg. She also worked many years at the Mother Seton Guild toward the canonization of Elizabeth Seton. She took true delight in Mother Seton's elevation to sainthood while she worked there.

Kathleen also wrote for the Gettysburg and Hanover newspapers while raising her family. She was an active member of the Emmitsburg Senior Citizens and served as president for three terms. She loved dogs and was as much a companion to them as they were to her. She enjoyed crocheting and always had a supply of her beautiful work to give to anyone who asked. Kathleen was a wonderful and devoted "Mom" to her five children.

Surviving are daughters, Lynn Kay and husband Charlie of Titusville, FL, and Karen Leppo and husband Richard of Emmitsburg; sons, Mike Shorb and wife Alice of Emmitsburg, Patrick Shorb and companion Wanda Dean of Laurens, SC, and Kerry Shorb and fiancé, Valerie Rhoderick of Emmitsburg; 11 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by sister, Dorothy Stoner; brothers, Rodgers and William Topper; and great-grandson, Scott Harbaugh.

Read other obituaries in the Historical Society archives