Sara A Mack

Sara R. Mack, 88, of Hearthstone at Maidencreek, formerly of Kutztown and Topton, died Wednesday, September 8, 2010, in Reading Hospital and Medical Center, West Reading. She was the widow of Reverend George Mack, who died in 1948.

Born in Topton, she was a daughter of the late Jonathan H. and Alda S. (Heffner) Rohrbach. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Topton, where she formerly served as church librarian. Sara was graduated from Kutztown State Teachers College, now Kutztown University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Library Science. She received a Master of Science degree in Library Science from Columbia University, New York City. She did additional course work at Columbia, Temple University, and University of Pennsylvania, both of Philadelphia. Mrs. Mack taught grades 4-6 at Chalfont Public School, Bucks County and was librarian at Mount Penn – Lower Alsace Junior-Senior High School, Mt. Penn, before joining the faculty at Kutztown State College where she taught Library Science courses for 25 years becoming department chairperson before she retired. Her professional affiliations include American Library Association, Pennsylvania Library Association, and Pennsylvania School Librarians Association where she served as president, 1963-1965, Church and Synagogue Library Association, Kutztown University Alumni Association where she served as president 1978 to 1980, Kutztown University Council of Trustees, 1983 to 2001.

Mrs. Mack was active in numerous community organizations including Friends of the Reading-Berks Public Libraries where she served as president 1983-1984, Kutztown Area Historical Society, Board member of Louisa Gonser Community Library, Kutztown from 1991-2000 and served as chairperson of its capital campaign and was instrumental in locating and securing the property where the library stands today. She also was the founder and served as president of Friends of the Louisa Gonser Community Library from 2001 to 2005. Sara received many awards and recognition including the President’s award in 1962 from Kutztown State College; Award of Merit from Pennsylvania Library Association in 1969; Kutztown State College Alumni Association Citation in 1980 and 1988. She also received Pennsylvania School Librarians Award for outstanding contributions to school library media programs in Pennsylvania in 1981 and the Driesbach Award for Exemplary Service to Berks County librarians in 2003. In 2003, she also became the first person from Kutztown University to be honored with Trustee Emeritus status. Her biography is included in Who’s Who in America. Her writings include book reviews for American Reference Book Annual, since 1975; Reviews in Church and Synagogue Libraries since 1987; articles in Along the Saucony, a publication by Kutztown Area Historical Society; Historical Review of Berks County; chapters in the Berk’s Authors Collection publication, and wrote the book Inspirational Readings for Elementary Grades, Kutztown Publishing Co., 1964.

She is survived by Daughter, Carol M. (Mack) wife of Thomas F. Foy, Poughkeepsie, NY; Grandsons, Andrew T. husband of Kay H. (Hill) Foy, Arlington, VA and Brian W. husband of Christine M. (Milleville) Foy, Apalachin, NY; and a Great Grandson, Thomas Henry Foy, son of Andrew and Kay.

Funeral Services are Monday, September 13, 2010, 10:30 AM from Trinity Lutheran Church, 121 S. Home Avenue, Topton. Interment in Zion Maxatawny Union Cemetery, Maxatawny. Friends may call Sunday, from 6:30 to 8:00 PM in Ludwick Funeral Homes, Inc., 333 Greenwich Street, Kutztown, and Monday, from 10:00 to 10:30 AM in the church.

Flowers may be sent or contributions may be made in Sara’s memory for the benefit of the Library Science Program to Kutztown University Foundation, P.O. Box 151, Kutztown, PA 19530-0151. Arrangements are by the Ludwick Funeral Home, Kutztown, PA.