Twila Hope (Lehman) Black, 87, of Kittanning, died at her residence on Friday, Nov. 26, 2010, surrounded by her family who had been caring for her for several years. A daughter of John L. and Eva Pearl (Sherman) Lehman, she was born March 31, 1923, in Hyndman, Bedford County. Mrs. Black was a salutatorian of the Hyndman High School Class of 1931. Following graduation from high school, Twila moved to Baltimore, Md., where she attended and graduated from a two-year business college. Before moving to Kittanning in 1960, Dr. and Mrs. Black and their family made their home in Monroeville. There, Twila was a founding member of the Mosside PTA in Monroeville, a volunteer for the America Cancer Society and a volunteer fundraiser for the Forbes Hospital System. Upon moving to Kittanning, Twila soon became involved in a number of community organizations. She was a member of the Kit-Han-Ne Questers, Chapter 408. She helped to restore The Old Stone Tavern in Worthington, and pursued her interest in antiques through research with her fellow Questers. The Armstrong County Memorial Hospital soon became the focal point of a majority of her time. She was a lifetime member of the ACMH Auxiliary and served as its president for four years. She named the hospital's benefit dinner-dance, the May Melody, and for years helped the auxiliary raise substantial amounts of money. In the 1970s, she and her late husband donated 26 acres of their family farm to ACMH, land that is currently the location of the primary part of the hospital campus. In May of 1981, while serving as the vice-president of the hospital's board of trustees, she received the Benjamin Rush Award for her work in improving healthcare in Armstrong County and for helping to raise funds for local healthcare facilities. More than anything else, she was lauded for her work in physician recruitment, as she was instrumental in bringing many new doctors to the region. Mrs. Black also donated a considerable amount of time to the Armstrong County Educational Trust of Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She served as a board member for nine years and again spent a great deal of time raising money for that organization. Having met Dr. Robert H. Thurau, pastor of St. John's Lutheran Church, Mrs. Black and her husband, Sam, joined St. John's. Her church was at the center of her life and she attended and supported it for the remainder of her days. For many years, she was a member of the church council, served on various committees, and could be found doing anything from going to conferences to baby sitting the pastor's children when he and his wife were away on retreats. She, with some of her Lutheran friends, traveled south and helped to construct a home through the Habitat for Humanity. She was devoted to her church and to her God. Twila enjoyed many interests. She was an avid gardener, whose yard was a source of joy to her and her visitors. Collecting antiques was another passion; she and her late husband filled their home with beautiful furnishings. Most of all, Twila loved entertaining. The consummate, hostess, she cooked and baked with distinction, set a beautiful table, and always made everyone feel valued and cherished. She was a wonderful Christian woman, the hallmarks of whose personality were graciousness, a great sense of humor, kindness and generosity. No one left her home a stranger and no one left her home without a sense of warmth and wellbeing. She is survived by her four children, Sandra J. Bradigan and her husband Thomas, Samuel J. Black II, Stephen J. Black and his wife Gretchen, and Sybil J. Dosch and her husband Timothy, all of Kittanning; seven grandchildren, Samantha Starr and her husband Matthew, Sarah Johnston and her husband Benjamin, Elizabeth Black and her companion Tom Trudgen, Jessica Black and her fiance Dan Leigey, Hope Dosch and Gwen Dosch; and four great-grandchildren, Stephen Starr, Drew Starr, Tristan Johnston and Roman Johnston. Additionally, she is survived by her brother, Sherman Lehman, of Buffalo Mills; and two sisters, Faye May and her husband, Howard, of Buffalo Mills, and Anna Waltman and her husband, John, of Bedford. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, with whom she shared nearly 30 years of marriage, Dr. Samuel R. Black, who died Feb 20, 1974; two brothers, Reuel and Regis Lehman; an infant brother; and seven sisters, Lillian Lehman, Vera Schmidt, Ilga Albritton, Dale Shuck, Lois Lehman, Vivian Malas and Gloria Kinton. She was also predeceased by her companion of many years, Dr. Regis Wolff. The family will receive friends from 12 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at BAUER FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATION SERVICES INC., 515 N. McKean St., Kittanning. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday in St. John's Lutheran Church, Kittanning, with the Rev. Carl A. Johnson officiating. Additional funeral services will be held Tuesday in Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church, in Madley, with the Rev. Ryan Viands officiating. Burial will follow in Hyndman Cemetery, Bedford County. Contributions may be made in Twila's memory to St. John's Lutheran Church, 218 N. Jefferson St., Kittanning, PA 16201; VNA Hospice, 154 Hindman Road, Butler, PA 16001; the Samuel R. Black Medical Library at the Armstrong County Memorial Hospital; or the Dr. Samuel R. and Mrs. Twila L. Black Medical Scholarship Fund at the Armstrong County Community Foundation. Arrangements are being handled by Bauer Funeral Home and Cremation Services Inc. Kittanning
PA Leader Times 11/27/2010