Vera Mae Boykin lived to celebrate her 92nd birthday on July 24, 2014. She was born in the year 1922, to William D. Swenk and Pearl M. (Hoffman) Swenk of East Greenville, PA. There she grew up with her parents and sister, Marion.

Vera was a graduate of the East Greenville High School’s class of 1940, and throughout her life she loved to reminisce about school classmates and activities. An avid athlete, she participated in both hockey and basketball. She also sang, played piano and trumpet, and was the drum majorette for the East Greenville Community Band, under the direction of David Croll.

Over the years, Vera was employed as a co-manager of the Green Lane Hotel, and later was a secretary or production worker at various Pennsylvania firms, including Jacobs Aircraft Engine Company, American Olean Tile, and Plummer Precision Optics.

She was a life-long member of St. Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Pennsburg. Vera became accomplished at sewing, knitting, and carpentry, and was always involved in a home skills project. She loved her Philadelphia Eagles and Phillies, and faithfully followed the activities of her family, her church, and the Red Hill Band.

Vera passed away peacefully on January 13, 2015, at St. Luke’s University Hospital, Bethlehem, PA. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, William I. Boykin, and by her sister, Marion J. (Swenk) Henry.

She is survived by son, Kurtis S. Weiss and wife, Judy, of Pennsburg; daughter, Kathleen W. Bieler and husband, Edward, of East Greenville; son, Michael A. Boykin of Devon; stepdaughter, Linda (Boykin) Farris and stepson, Gregory Boykin and their families, all of Virginia. “Gram” will be remembered, with love, by grandson, Kent Weiss and Jill Smith; grandson, Matthew Weiss and wife, Rebecca; and grandson, Adam Weiss and wife, Rebecca. She is also survived by great-grandsons, Kyle, Conner, Gavin, Brody, Liam, Trent, and Owen.

Friends and family are invited to call at the Mann-Slonaker Funeral Home, 222 Washington Street, East Greenville, PA, on Saturday, January 24, 2015, from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. In accordance with Vera’s wishes, a graveside funeral service will follow immediately at St. Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church Cemetery, Penn Street, Pennsburg, PA.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 81 N. Main St., Pennsburg, PA 18073, or to the Red Hill Band, P.O. Box 403, Red Hill, PA 18076.

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