Alice Kolb

Alice Geraldine (Shank-Lewis) Kolb , 86, of Hagerstown, Maryland, passed from this life on Tuesday, July 21, 2015 at Golden Living Center in Hagerstown.

Born on June 25, 1929, in Hagerstown, she was the daughter of the late Paul Rankin and Frances Mary (Davis) Shank. Alice was preceded in death by her two husbands, Melvin D. Kolb in 2007, and Edgar J. Lewis in 1965.

Alice attended Hagerstown High School.  She was a member of St. Ann Roman Catholic Church in Hagerstown.

She was employed as an hourly employee at the General Motors Corporation Parts Plant in Martinsburg, West Virginia for 17 years.  She was one of the first of a few women to become supervisors in the General Motors Corporation.  After a few rounds with breast cancer, she had to retired in 1987.  She was a supervisor with a wonderful rating and respect from those employees in her supervision.  She had wonderful General Motors stories that were a tribute to the employees at the facility.  Over the years, many salary and hourly workers would visit and check in on her.

Alice loved her father's farm where they lived and helped him farm as a family back in the late 1950's at Big Spring, Maryland.  She had many hobbies, including reading, antiques, quilt making, she loved crocheting and made may beautiful afghans.  She especially enjoyed playing cards with her sisters and other friends.

Her son would like to thank all of the staff at the Golden Living Center for their wonderful and great service over the numerous years, and for the love, devotion and communications.  The staff cried along with him on the day she died and they deserve an extreme thank you from the entire family.  Also, special thanks and gratitude to Hospice of Washington County for their wonderful service, as well as to the Meritus Medical Center staff.

Alice was a wonderful and devoted mother of which the success of her sons and their families attest.  May she finally rest in peace.

Alice is survived by her son, Paul E. "Ed" Lewis and wife Virginia of Fairplay, and their children Adam Lewis and family and John Lewis, all of Hagerstown; her late son David L. "Dave" Lewis' wife Jackie and their children, Eric, Brett, and Brad and families, all of Shepherdstown, West Virginia; sisters, Phyllis Baker and family; the late Pauline Reeder and family; and JoAnn Byers and husband Richard and family, all of Hagerstown.  She is also survived by two step-granddaughters, Tami Kohlhaas and Tonya Pignato, and she was preceded in death by her step granddaughter Natalie Haas; six great grandchildren; six step great grandchildren; as well as too many to count and or name other cousins, nieces, nephews, and their families.  Additionally, she will be deeply missed by her two adopted daughters, Kathy (Swartz) Mauck, and Bonnie Delauter.

The family will gather with friends to celebrate Alice's life journey from 6 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, July 25, 2015 at the Bast-Stauffer Funeral Home, 7606 Old National Pike in Boonsboro.

Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Washington County, 747 Northern Avenue, Hagerstown, Maryland, 21872.