Velma M. Hornbeck

Velma M. Hornbeck, 97, of Forest City, died Monday March 10th at the Forest City Nursing Center.  She was the widow of Allan A. Hornbeck, Sr., who died in 2001.

Born in Carbondale, daughter of the late Floyd and Sarah Baldwin Emmett, she was a member of Christ Episcopal Church, Forest City, where she was a longtime acolyte.  She was a longtime volunteer for Meals on Wheels, serving for 28 years.  Velma was part of a special group of women who attended high school together during the war years and remained close friends until their passing. This special group called themselves the Castlette’s, named after the cottage at Newton Lake they would spend summers at as young ladies before they all married and started families. Over the years they would make time to get together for parties and trips. They celebrated the joys in their lives and supported each other through their trials and tribulations. This group included Nancy Brownell, Rose Cost, Ann Dottle, Velma Hornbeck, Wicky Moon Walker, Ruth Walsh Mussari, Rosemary Wallis, Peggy McDonald and Margaret Burke.

The family would like to thank all the staff at the Forest City Nursing Center for the amazing care given to our beloved mom, gram, and GG for the past 6 years.

Surviving are three children: William Dempsey and wife Connie, Clifford Twp.; Robert Dempsey and wife Mary Jane, Howell, NJ; Jean Marie Dempsey and husband Vince Carolan, Carbondale; 13 grandchildren: James and Christine Chesnick; Victoria Couture and husband Derick; Matthew Dempsey and wife Trish; Michele Ednock and husband Mike; Kelly McAndrew and husband Chris; William Dempsey II and wife Marla; Katherine Dietz; Elizabeth Werner and husband Dave; Kristen Hornbeck; Ashley Franceski and husband Joe; Sara McGraw and husband Sean; and Lauren Hornbeck; 18 great grandchildren: Michael Jr and Abigail Ednock; Molly and Ryan McAndrew; Siena Dempsey; Jack, Emily, and Gus Couture; Patrick and Joseph Dempsey; Aubryn, Lennon, and Nolan Werner; Victoria and Maddie Crisci; Hailey Moffitt; Weston McGraw; and Brayden Fitzgerald; several nieces and nephews.

She was also preceded in death by two children: Kathleen Dempsey and Allan A. Hornbeck, Jr.; and a sister: Bertine Withka as well as her beloved pets Champ and Sporty Hornbeck.

The funeral will be Saturday May 3rd with services at 10 am in Christ Episcopal Church, Forest City.  Interment will follow at Canaan Corners Cemetery, Waymart.  Friends may call at the church from 9 am until service time.  Arrangements by the Jones & Brennan Funeral Home, 430 Main Street, Forest City.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Christ Episcopal Church, 700 Delaware Street, Forest City, PA 18421.

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