Thelma G. Haddon, 89, of Quakertown [OBITUARY]

Thelma G. Haddon of Quakertown passed away surrounded by her loving family on Monday, Feb. 18, 2013. She was born in 1923 and died two months before her 90th birthday after a courageous battle with many health problems. She was married to her beloved Steve, who preceded her in death in 1997. Born in Oldham, Lancashire, England in her maternal grandfather’s home, she was the daughter of the late James E. and Frances E. Higham, and sister of Joseph and Ivy (both deceased). She first came to the United States at the age of six weeks with her parents and siblings. Thelma and her family crossed the Atlantic eight times before she was 12, accompanying her father who established A&P Food markets until the onset of World War II. Thelma graduated from St. Michael & All Angels Church of England School and lived in Kirkham, Lancashire during WWII, where she was an Air Raid Warden. Along with her husband and three children, she immigrated to the United States in 1957, later becoming a citizen. She loved America and Old Glory and proudly displayed the American flag in memory of her husband Steve and all brave servicemen and women everywhere. 

Thelma worked for Maginnis Foreign Cars and managed the Little Man convenience store, both in Horsham, before moving to Quakertown where she managed the U Store and Lock It until retiring at age 70.

Thelma sang in the choir at St. David’s Episcopal Church in Wayne, was a choir mother at All Saints Episcopal Church in Philadelphia, and was a Sunday school teacher at the Friends Meeting House in Horsham. Thelma volunteered at Doylestown Hospital and at the Bucks County Council BSA until failing health prevented her from continuing. Thelma was a member of The Great Valley Basha, Lehigh County Chapter of the China, Burma, and Indian veterans group with her husband, who fought as a Chindit in Burma with the British Army during WWII. 

Thelma loved to embroider, crochet and knit, and gave her handiwork as gifts to her many friends and family.

SURVIVORS

Thelma is survived by her children, The Rev. Mr. Richard SJ Haddon and his wife Sharon of Quakertown, Thelma P. Webb and her husband Robert of Quakertown, and Stephen M. Haddon and his wife Patricia of Telford. She is also survived by her grandchildren Jamie Haddon (Michele) of Doylestown, Michelle Horvath (David) of Springtown, Michael Haddon of Telford, Daniel Haddon of Quakertown, Christopher Haddon (Chrissy) of Quakertown, and Roseann Haddon (Joe Plebani) of Northampton. She is also survived by her precious great-grandchildren Cole, Alena, Sydney, Jade, Ian, Amber and Finnegan, who lovingly called her GG. Thelma is also survived by her lifelong beloved friend Sam Patterson of Miami, Fla., and her devoted cat Lovey Dovey. Thelma was a devoted mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and will be sadly missed. Thelma was a member of St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church of Applebachsville and will be buried there next to her beloved Steve. A special thank you to Compassionate Care Hospice and to Avis, Cecilia, Colleen, Nicole and Patricia from Eagle Helpers for their tender loving care of mom as she prepared for her journey home.

SERVICE

Family and friends are invited to call from 10 to 11am Saturday, Feb. 23, 2013 at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church of Applebachsville. The calling hour will be followed by the service at 11am, with the Rev. David A. Heckler officiating. Interment will conclude services at the parish cemetery. Online memorial tributes may be recorded at www.heintzelmancares.com. Arrangements are by the Heintzelman Funeral Home Inc., Hellertown.

CONTRIBUTIONS

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to her church, 837 Old Bethlehem Road, Quakertown, PA 18951 or to the Wounded Warriors Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675 (Email: got@woundedwarriorproject.org).