Paulette Marie Helen Reed

Paulette Marie Helen Reed, 92, of McClure passed away on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, at William Penn Nursing Home, Lewistown.

She was born in Ancy-sur-Moselle, Lorraine, France on April 2, 1933. She was the daughter of the late Victor Zekl and Marie Justine (Vadel).

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Bernard Zekl.

She is survived by her husband of 67 years, Melvin ‘Mel’ Reed of McClure; her daughter Sandy Dedmon (Steve) of McClure; grandson Thomas Egolf (Helen) and great-grandson Alex Egolf, both of Reedsville; her sister Elizabeth Baton of Sainte Genevieve, France; her brother Jean-Jacques Zekl (Martine) of Auxerre, France; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Paulette spent her childhood (1939-1945) in a region occupied by Germany during World War II. She often spoke with WWII veterans and shared stories of living near where Gen Patton’s 3rd Army stalled, recalling how soldiers gave local children rations, sparking her fondness for Hershey’s bars.

In the early 1950s she became the Queen of the Mirabelles (a plum) in her village of Ancy-sur-Moselle and a First runner up of the Queen of the Mirabelles in the town of Metz, France. She always commented the blonde won first place because of her hair coloring.

She worked at Hartley’s Potato Chips in the early 1960s, Fisher Electronics, and later as a seamstress at Kirby Manufacturing in McClure. After retiring, she started a craft business making Barbie Doll clothes that brought joy to many children.

She was a member of Sacred Heart of Jesus Roman Catholic Church and sang in the choir.

Paulette touched many lives with her acts of kindness. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and mother-in-law. Family was very important to her. She will be greatly missed by family and friends.

A viewing will held be on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, from 6-8pm at Heller-Hoenstine Funeral Home, Woodlawn, 200 N. Main St., Lewistown.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, at 11 am, at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Lewistown, with Father Kevin Coyle officiating.

Interment will take place at Juniata Memorial Park Cemetery.

The family will provide flowers. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Lewistown.

Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.hellerhoenstinefuneralhome.com

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