My mother, Mercedes Marie "Toots" Chop, 88, of Palmdale, CA, formerly of Conway, PA, died October 4, 2004 at the Antelope Valley Hospital, Lancaster, CA. Immediate cause of death was Cardiorespiratory Failure (mins), Respiratory Failure (days), Congestive Heart Failure (years), Coronary Artery Disease (years), and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. A daughter of the late Herbert J. Mitchell and Mary K. Werthmann Mitchell, she attended Freedom (PA) High School and worked as a welder in the shipyards at the American Bridge Co., Ambridge, PA, during World War II. She was a retired member of the Bakery and Confectionery Workers Union, having worked as a floor lady for 34 years at Keystone Bakery in West Bridgewater, PA, until her retirement in 1981. She was a former member of the now closed Conway (PA) Methodist Church. She moved to California in 1985 to live with me. An animal activist, she was a lifetime member of The American Anti-Vivisection Society and was an avid supporter of Actors and Others for Animals. During her lifetime, she had countless dogs and cats spayed and neutered. In her retirement years, she never closed her door to a stray animal. They brought so much joy to her life. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her mother; first husband, Anthony Vincent "Tony" Chop; her only son, Robert Vincent "Porky" Chop, and a sister, Vera Mae "Bood" Wehr and brother-in-law, Austin "Pete" Wehr. Friends were received in the Poland Funeral Home Inc., 901 First Ave., Conway, PA, where a service was conducted Saturday, October 9, 2004, at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Bert Domineck, pastor of the First United Methodist Church of Ambridge and Economy, PA, officiating. My friends, Bishop Robert Syme and his wife, Suzi Arden Syme, from the Church of Latter Day Saints also participated in the service. Sister Beatrice was present from the St. Joseph Convent in Conway, PA. Interment followed in Oak Grove Cemetery, Freedom, PA. I am left with a lifetime of love and admiration for the best mother who ever lived. Mom made her transition look easy, but it was a heartbreaking experience. She taught me how to die with grace and dignity. When my turn comes, we will see how well I have learned.
My mother, Mercedes Marie "Toots" Chop, 88, of Palmdale, CA, formerly of Conway, PA, died October 4, 2004 at the Antelope Valley Hospital, Lancaster, CA. Immediate cause of death was Cardiorespiratory Failure (mins), Respiratory Failure (days), Congestive Heart Failure (years), Coronary Artery Disease (years), and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. A daughter of the late Herbert J. Mitchell and Mary K. Werthmann Mitchell, she attended Freedom (PA) High School and worked as a welder in the shipyards at the American Bridge Co., Ambridge, PA, during World War II. She was a retired member of the Bakery and Confectionery Workers Union, having worked as a floor lady for 34 years at Keystone Bakery in West Bridgewater, PA, until her retirement in 1981. She was a former member of the now closed Conway (PA) Methodist Church. She moved to California in 1985 to live with me. An animal activist, she was a lifetime member of The American Anti-Vivisection Society and was an avid supporter of Actors and Others for Animals. During her lifetime, she had countless dogs and cats spayed and neutered. In her retirement years, she never closed her door to a stray animal. They brought so much joy to her life. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her mother; first husband, Anthony Vincent "Tony" Chop; her only son, Robert Vincent "Porky" Chop, and a sister, Vera Mae "Bood" Wehr and brother-in-law, Austin "Pete" Wehr. Friends were received in the Poland Funeral Home Inc., 901 First Ave., Conway, PA, where a service was conducted Saturday, October 9, 2004, at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Bert Domineck, pastor of the First United Methodist Church of Ambridge and Economy, PA, officiating. My friends, Bishop Robert Syme and his wife, Suzi Arden Syme, from the Church of Latter Day Saints also participated in the service. Sister Beatrice was present from the St. Joseph Convent in Conway, PA. Interment followed in Oak Grove Cemetery, Freedom, PA. I am left with a lifetime of love and admiration for the best mother who ever lived. Mom made her transition look easy, but it was a heartbreaking experience. She taught me how to die with grace and dignity. When my turn comes, we will see how well I have learned.
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MERCEDES M. CHOP
PRECIOUS MOTHER
1916 - 2004
