Death Notice: Mrs. Erma Mae Yrigoyen

Erma Mae (Suters) Yrigoyen, 96, born in Philadelphia, PA, March 25, 1914, died on September 1, 2010 at the nursing center at Attleboro Retirement Community.   The daughter of Edward Garfield Suters and Alverdia (Jones) Suters, she was a resident of Attleboro in Langhorne, PA where she lived since 1996.  She was the widow of Rev. Charles Yrigoyen, D.D., who died on July 28, 2006.  They were married for seventy-two years.  She provided a loving home for her husband who had been raised at Girard College in Philadelphia. 

Erma is survived by two sons: Charles, Jr. (married to Jeanette Alice Brittingham) of Willow Street, PA, and Robert Paul of Philadelphia, PA; two grandchildren, Debra Y. Floriani (married to Michael J. Floriani) of Downingtown, and Charles Yrigoyen, III (married to Paula J. Radice) of North Liberty, Iowa; and two great grandsons, Darin Charles Yrigoyen and Hunter Radice Yrigoyen also of North Liberty, Iowa.

As a pastor’s wife, Erma was an active church member and leader in her husband’s churches  (all in eastern PA – Croydon, Kensington, Langhorne, Brookline, Reading, Arch Street (Philadelphia), and Allentown).  She taught Sunday school, sang in the choir, was active in the churches’ women’s groups, and fulfilled with joy the many duties expected of a pastor’s wife.  While her husband was the Chaplain of Philadelphia’s Methodist Hospital, she was a leader in the hospital’s woman’s auxiliary and served for many years as its treasurer.

Erma was an excellent housewife, cook, and baker.  Among her favorite activities were travel, good music and preaching, entertaining friends, and holiday gatherings with the family.  Wherever she lived or was hospitalized those who knew her commented on her good nature and courteous demeanor.  She was a member of the Langhorne (PA) United Methodist Church.

Interment will be private, but a memorial service will be held on September 8, 2010, 1:00 PM at the Langhorne United Methodist Church, 301 East Maple Avenue, Langhorne, PA.  Family greeting with refreshments will follow.  In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be sent to the Erma S. Yrigoyen Memorial Fund, Langhorne United Methodist Church, 301 East Maple Avenue, Langhorne, PA 19047.