Thelma (Cheetham) Vanderslice

VANDERSLICE, THELMA M. (nee Cheetham)

Age 101, of Philadelphia, PA, passed away April 10, 2023. She was born in Jenkintown and spent most of her years in Philadelphia, daughter of the late Eleanor and William Cheetham. She attended school in Philadelphia and had a passion for roller skating in her younger years.

Thelma wed Frank W. Vanderslice, Jr. on September 26, 1942. Frank worked at Rohm and Haas and for many years Thelma worked at Nanette Clothing Company where she became a forelady. Both Thelma and Frank were members of Rhawnhurst Presbyterian Church for many years, and while Frank was an Elder and Sunday School Superintendent for years, Thelma loved babies and spent well over 50 years caring for the babies in the church nursery and enjoying them as they grew. She also worked with the Beginners Class of the Sunday School for many years.

Thelma and Frank loved dogs and had quite a few of them during their marriage. Although they never had children of their own, they became "adopted" grandparents to two young girls at church after the parents of the children asked if they would be willing to serve in this capacity. They didn't want their children to miss the blessing of grandparents in their lives and thus began the melding of two families and many happy times together.

Thelma was predeceased by her beloved husband, Frank, and her beloved sister, Mildred. She is survived by her cousins, Lois Jane Johnson, Janet Millman, goddaughter, Nancy Kane, dear friends Henry & Doris Barlow, and her beloved "adopted" granddaughters, Rebecca Barlow Ware and Jessica Barlow Acosta.

Thelma's Funeral will be held on Friday, April 21, 2023, with Visitation from 10 to 11 AM, followed by Funeral Service at 11 AM, at the Fletcher-Nasevich Funeral Home, 9529 Bustleton Ave., Phila., PA 19115. Interment will follow at George Washington Memorial Park, Plymouth Meeting, PA.

Because Thelma loved the Lord Jesus, animals, and children, in lieu of flowers gifts in her memory may be made to Rhawnhurst Presbyterian Church, 7701 Loretto Ave., Phila., PA 19111-3507, or Best Friends Animal Society, 5001 Angel Canyon Rd., Kanab, UT 84741, or Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Foundation, 3401 Civic Center Blvd., Phila., PA 19104.

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