Thelma Bolton

Thelma Derstein (Moyer) Bolton entered into her heavenly home on Sunday evening, September 23rd at Lehigh Valley Hospital Center, Allentown, PA, while surrounded by her family. Born October 15, 1928, she was just 3 weeks away from commemorating her 90th birthday. Thelma was born to Granville & Blanche Moyer in Souderton, PA. She grew up attending Souderton Mennonite Church where she later married John L Bolton of Silverdale. At an early age (15), Thelma left school to work at Pool's Sewing Factory in Lansdale, where she not only helped to provide for her family's income, but became a very proficient seamstress. In her early 20s she participated in various Voluntary Service projects in Philadelphia and Michigan. It was there (Philadelphia) where she met her future husband. They shared 45 years of marriage before his passing in 1997. In 1957 Thelma and John moved to Allentown to be a part of the Allentown Mennonite Church Mission. Thelma and John moved to Vera Cruz in 1961 where she lived until 2009. She then moved to the Souderton Mennonite Home where she lived until her home going. Thelma spent several years cleaning homes and businesses. Her longest employment was with Hackman's Bible Bookstore, where she became known as the ‘card lady' - and the lady with the ‘white hair'. She especially enjoyed the friendships she developed at the bookstore and regretfully retired in 2008. Thelma lived up to her ‘card lady' status by sending greeting cards and hand written notes for many years. Each of her nieces and nephews would receive birthday cards and many of their children as well. Along with card sending, Thelma was a dedicated prayer warrior with notes placed strategically in her home with people's names and needs so she'd remember to pray. Her prayers weren't just for her family but those far and near. Over the years Thelma taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School at Allentown Mennonite Church, and later at Swamp Mennonite Church, Quakertown, where she was currently a member. For several years she was also active at Faith Wesleyan Church in Macungie. She was involved in many ministries at Swamp and held one-on-one Bible studies as well. She had a heart for the hurting and ‘mothered' many with her prayers and wisdom. Thelma had a gift for hospitality; whether it was sharing a cup of coffee and one of her new baked creations, a meal including visitors to church, or opening their home for extended stays, she thrived on that. One special guest was a Mennonite Central committee trainee from Taiwan, Joe Chen, who lived with John & Thelma for 6 months. Thelma's family was very important to her as well, and though they've been scattered, even around the world at times, she's been able to communicate through email and phone in order to stay up to date on their lives. She loved when her family could all be together. Holiday and family gatherings included her children and grandchildren along with her sister-in-law Irene Dorville, Irene's children and grandchildren-Kristina Dorville, her husband Michael and son Carter, Eric Dorville and his wife Maddie along with their son, Andrew, and honorary ‘aunt' Ingrit Fast. Thelma is survived by her son, John Lee Bolton and his wife, Susan (Calderwood) of Glenside, PA; a daughter, J. Lynette Reinford of McAlisterville, PA. Grandchildren: Heidi Bell and her husband, Chris of Glen Burnie, MD, Malynda Tamang and her husband Nirloy of McAlisterville, PA, Samuel Bolton and his wife Ally of Mont Alto, PA, Quentin Reinford and his wife Kourtney of Danville, PA, Eliza Bolton of Philadelphia, PA, and Spencer Reinford of McAlisterville, PA. Great-Grandchildren: Hayley and Jayden Bell of Glen Burnie , MD. She is also survived by a brother Merrill Moyer and his wife Doras of Turbotville, PA. Sisters and Brothers-in-law; Ed McMullen of Elizabethtown,PA; Carolyn Moyer of Collegeville, PA; Lydia (Bolton) and Warren Landis of Souderton, PA; Jan Bolton of Climax, MI; Ed and Betty Ann Bolton of Silverdale,PA; Faye Bolton of Souderton, PA; Irene (Bolton) Dorville of Hellertown, PA; Ray and Pat Bolton of Kutztown, PA. And many nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly. Thelma was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, John L Bolton; her sister, Ruth McMullen; a brother, Herbert Moyer; a son-in-law, James Reinford; 2 brothers-in-law, Charles Bolton and David Bolton. A time of visitation will be held in her community of Souderton Mennonite Home on Monday, October 1st, 2018 from 6 - 8 PM. Chapel of the Souderton Mennonite Home, 207 West Summit Street, Souderton, PA 18964. The memorial service will be held at Swamp Mennonite Church (2125 Rosedale Rd, Quakertown, PA 18951) on Tuesday, October 2nd at 2 PM with a time of visitation with the family at 1 PM. In lieu of flowers, Thelma has requested that donations to be made to the Souderton Mennonite Home Agape Fund at 207 West Summit Street Souderton, PA 18964. This was very much in line with her love and caring for others.