Lois Paff, 89, passed away comfortably in her Boalsburg home Friday evening. She was the daughter of Evelyn and Harry Baxendell. She proceeded in death by her son Thomas Paff Jr., Son in law Edward Bala, sister Linda Arzman, and brothers Robert and Charles Baxendell. She is survived by her daughter Elisabeth (Betsy) Bala, granddaughters Caitlin, Lauren, Emily, and Meron Bala. Grandsons Joshua, Robert, and Aaron Bala. And great grandson Aiden. She was an elementary school teacher in the Johnstown school district until her retirement.

Lois
By Jane Oleksak
She aspired to a genteel life
Of afternoon teas and cucumber sandwiches
Like life in the drawing rooms of Bath
In the romance novels she loved.
But Lois was happy in her comfy living room
Full of magazines and the sound of music with a “Latin beat,”
There, with her consort, Rosie,
She advised and comforted family and friends.
Her grandchildren, a source of constant joy,
Enriched her life, and her stories about them enriched us.
She was a storybook grandma of special treats,
Of books and games and cookies and songs.
Sometimes she went off to flea markets, garage sales and auctions,
To exclaim over bits of colored glass and costume jewelry,
Or the nostalgia in Christmas issues of old magazines.
Was a friend ill? Bereaved? World-weary?
Lois was there in body and in spirit.
Bringing roasted chickens, cakes and cups of custard,
To fortify them for their struggles.
A meal “out” with Lois was like dining with a rock star
“Mrs. Paff, do you remember me?” servers asked.
And, of course, she did. She had them in 2nd grade.
She knew the names of all their family members, too.
Sometimes she recognized people she’d never met.
Like Amber at Franco’s,
“Are you a Miller?” Lois asked. Yes, of course.
Because Amber looked like all the Millers Lois had taught.
Lois loved her little Moxham church,
Swearing lifelong allegiance even though she moved away.
“This will always be my church,” she said.
And nobody who knew Lois could doubt her.
She worried grandly, loved madly, laughed lustily,
Much more like her kindergarten kids,
Than those prim ladies in the drawing rooms of Bath.
Thanks be to God.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, September 9th 2017, at the University Baptist and Brethern Church 411 S. Burrowes St. State College PA 16801, with Pastor Bonnie Kline Smeltzer officiating. In lieu of flowers and donations, they can be made to the Second Presbyterian Church 565 Park Ave Johnstown PA 15902 , or the University Baptist and Brethern Church in State College PA.