Obituary for Martha E. Vink
Martha “Mickey” E. Vink, 95, formerly of Mercersburg, passed away on Friday, October 21, 2022 at Providence Place in Chambersburg, PA.
Born October 20, 1927 in Philadelphia, PA, she was daughter of the late Harry and Jenny Roberts McKee.
Mickey graduated from Yeadon High School and West Chester University. She taught at the Sharon Hill Elementary School in Philadelphia for 5 years. In 1953 she married Gordon D. Vink, Sr., a Navy ensign who had recently returned to civilian life; they started their married life together in Ridley Park, PA. After moving to Reisterstown, Md. in 1959, she became a homemaker with 3 very young boys. In 1962, the family moved to Mercersburg, PA where she returned to teaching and where she and Gordon would raise their 3 children with the help of Martha’s father who moved in with the family in 1965. Over the next 36 years she taught in the Tuscarora School District, first at the former Lemasters High School which by then had become an elementary school and later at the Mountain View Elementary School. She became a very passionate and devoted kindergarten teacher who would teach 2 generations of Franklin County students. During this period and later in life, she would enjoy learning about the lives of her former students and the various paths they took in life. She befriended many people of different ages, backgrounds, and circumstances and always embraced those social relationships and the joy they provided. Needless to say, she was generous and compassionate, assisting those in less fortunate circumstances with both her time and her resources. Her generosity and her concern for her fellow human being knew no bounds. She was an exemplary Christian who never lost her faith in Christ or in the possibilities for humanity. As a loyal member of the Mercersburg First United Methodist Church, she lived the life of faith she truly wished for everyone.
But just as relevant, she had a great sense of humor and was able to see and feel the comedic side of life as well. She laughed often, not as in a slick, glib saying, but as a truly alive human being in touch with her Lord and with the often humorous as well as joyous elements of life on this earth. Like Tennyson said of Ulysses, she “drank life to the lees.”
Surviving family members include her sons, Gordon D. “Chip” (Deborah) Vink, Jr. of Mercersburg, Gary G. (Robin) Vink, Gregory R. (Charlotte) Vink, both of Chambersburg, and 5 grandchildren: Nathan (Mariah), Heath (Leslie), Ethan, Evan and Bailee, and 6 great-grandchildren: Gavin, Collin, Nolan, Hudson, Hadley, and Holden.
Mickey was preceded in death by her husband, Gordon D. Vink, Sr. (2005), her brother, Jack Bullman, and her grandson, Gabriel Vink.
On Friday, October 28 at 2 p.m., a public graveside service will be held at Fairview Cemetery in Mercersburg with Reverend Michael Baughman officiating. The service will be followed by a Celebration of Life Reception at The Orchards Restaurant in Chambersburg from 3-7p.m. Family and friends are welcome to arrive and depart at their convenience. Food and drinks will be served. Outdoor and indoor facilities will be available for the Celebration.
"In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Providence Place Coworker Foundation, 1528 Sand Hill Road, Hummelstown, PA 17036."
Born October 20, 1927 in Philadelphia, PA, she was daughter of the late Harry and Jenny Roberts McKee.
Mickey graduated from Yeadon High School and West Chester University. She taught at the Sharon Hill Elementary School in Philadelphia for 5 years. In 1953 she married Gordon D. Vink, Sr., a Navy ensign who had recently returned to civilian life; they started their married life together in Ridley Park, PA. After moving to Reisterstown, Md. in 1959, she became a homemaker with 3 very young boys. In 1962, the family moved to Mercersburg, PA where she returned to teaching and where she and Gordon would raise their 3 children with the help of Martha’s father who moved in with the family in 1965. Over the next 36 years she taught in the Tuscarora School District, first at the former Lemasters High School which by then had become an elementary school and later at the Mountain View Elementary School. She became a very passionate and devoted kindergarten teacher who would teach 2 generations of Franklin County students. During this period and later in life, she would enjoy learning about the lives of her former students and the various paths they took in life. She befriended many people of different ages, backgrounds, and circumstances and always embraced those social relationships and the joy they provided. Needless to say, she was generous and compassionate, assisting those in less fortunate circumstances with both her time and her resources. Her generosity and her concern for her fellow human being knew no bounds. She was an exemplary Christian who never lost her faith in Christ or in the possibilities for humanity. As a loyal member of the Mercersburg First United Methodist Church, she lived the life of faith she truly wished for everyone.
But just as relevant, she had a great sense of humor and was able to see and feel the comedic side of life as well. She laughed often, not as in a slick, glib saying, but as a truly alive human being in touch with her Lord and with the often humorous as well as joyous elements of life on this earth. Like Tennyson said of Ulysses, she “drank life to the lees.”
Surviving family members include her sons, Gordon D. “Chip” (Deborah) Vink, Jr. of Mercersburg, Gary G. (Robin) Vink, Gregory R. (Charlotte) Vink, both of Chambersburg, and 5 grandchildren: Nathan (Mariah), Heath (Leslie), Ethan, Evan and Bailee, and 6 great-grandchildren: Gavin, Collin, Nolan, Hudson, Hadley, and Holden.
Mickey was preceded in death by her husband, Gordon D. Vink, Sr. (2005), her brother, Jack Bullman, and her grandson, Gabriel Vink.
On Friday, October 28 at 2 p.m., a public graveside service will be held at Fairview Cemetery in Mercersburg with Reverend Michael Baughman officiating. The service will be followed by a Celebration of Life Reception at The Orchards Restaurant in Chambersburg from 3-7p.m. Family and friends are welcome to arrive and depart at their convenience. Food and drinks will be served. Outdoor and indoor facilities will be available for the Celebration.
"In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Providence Place Coworker Foundation, 1528 Sand Hill Road, Hummelstown, PA 17036."