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Merilynn L. Hart, 96, of Mennonite Home Communities in Lancaster, passed away on Wednesday. Merilynn was born in California to Jesse (Smith) Blankenship and William Blankenship. She was a member of a pioneer family whose ancestors settled in Visalia, California in 1850. She met her husband of almost 50 years, Robert G. Hart of Altoona, while working on the base of the U.S. Army Air Corps Sequoia Field. Following their marriage, she moved to Altoona, where she lived for almost 60 years.
Merilynn was an employee of Wissinger's IGA on 31st Street for thirteen years, and for ten years was church secretary at the First Church of Christ in Altoona. Using her musical talents at the church, Merilynn sang with a ladies trio, the senior choir, and was the director of the children's choir for twenty years. Merilynn had many interests including competitive tennis, bowling and later golf. She was involved with philanthropic organizations including Eastern Star, Daughters of the Nile Dorcas Temple (Queen 1988-1989), and Ladies Oriental Shrine Jobel Court.
Preceding Merilynn in death in 1994 was her beloved husband, Robert "Bob" Hart. She is survived by: a brother, William Blankenship in California; her three daughters: Marsha Fisher (Kirk) of Lancaster, Linda Weber of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Rebecca Rowe of Mount Joy. Merilynn shared her zest for life with her eight grandchildren and she was especially proud to be a great-grandmother of 22, whom she always remembered with birthday cards.
A Celebration of Life Service for Merilynn and a Daughters of Nile blessing will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020, at the First Church of Christ, 113 Good Shepherd Road in Altoona. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the music ministry of the First Church of Christ.