Mary Elaine (nee Porinchak) Goehring of Lorain died Tuesday, August 29, 2017 at the age of 89 in the Mercy- New Life Hospice of St. Joseph following a brief illness.
      She was born in Johnstown, Pennsylvania and came to Lorain in 1952.
      She received her baccalaureate degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, attended Penn State University and pursued other graduate studies. She was a member of the honorary Art Fraternity Delta Phi Delta. Art teaching was done at Sewickley Academy near Pittsburgh and at Lorain High School and Admiral King High School. She was chosen as a Martha Holden Jennings Scholar and she retired in 1988.
      Mrs. Goehring was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Ralph. Mary Elaine is survived by three children, Warren John Goehring of Columbus, Ohio, Karen (Lawrence) Haldeman Atwood of Columbus, Ohio and Kurt of Sandusky, Ohio; grandchildren, Zachary (Anne Marie) Haldeman and Kevin (Ami) Haldeman, step grandchildren Randi Maguire, Molly Slater, 7 great grandchildren, brother David Porinchak of Ambler, PA; two nephews and six nieces.
      She was predeceased by her parents, John and Anna Porinchak; sister, Frances Porinchak Valentine; brothers John W. Porter and Frank Porter; nephew, Alfred Valentine and son-in-law Rick Haldeman.
     Mary Elaine had been active in the Church of St. Peter as Eucharistic Minister, usher, in Christian Initiation of adults and as co-chair of liturgical art and environment there for many years. She presided at the Mother of Perpetual Help Novena Services. She was a active member of the retired divisions of the National Education Association, Ohio Education Association as well as the Lorain Education Association Retired Teachers Organization of which she had been an officer. As a member and officer of Western Reserve Calligraphers, she exhibited her calligraphy in the Cleveland area. She taught calligraphy in the Elderhostel program in West Virginia and Georgia as well as LCCC and at her studio. She was a member of RSVP and volunteered for Family Service Association. She was a member of Lakeland Women's Club and previously served as President of the Fine Arts Department.
      Friends will be received at Schwartz, Spence, Boyer & Cool Home For Funerals 1124 West 5th Street, Lorain from 4p.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday, August 31, 2017.
      The funeral service will be on Friday, September 1, 2017, beginning at 8:45 A.M. in the funeral home followed by a 9:30 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at Catholic Church of St. Peter, 3655 Oberlin Avenue, Lorain with the Rev. Gerald Keller, associate pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Ridge Hill Memorial Park, Amherst Township.
      Memorials may be made to the Liturgical Arts and Environment Fund of St. Peter Church at 3655 Oberlin Avenue, Lorain, Ohio 44053 or the Lorain City Schools Endowment Fund for Art at 2350 Pole Avenue, Lorain, Ohio 44053.

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