Verna Faye Stoltzfus

Verna Faye Stoltzfus, 93, passed away peacefully on September 27th, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of warmth, deep faith, and generous hospitality. Born on September 23, 1933, in Logans Corner, PA, to Bertha May Swigart-Millard and Thomas Earl Millard, Verna grew up grounded in community and family values.

She earned a Bachelor of Science in Home Economics from The Pennsylvania State University in 1955 before completing a dietetic internship at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. Verna was awarded the rank of Lieutenant then proudly served as a dietitian in the United States Army, stationed at Fitzsimons Army Hospital in Aurora, Colorado, until 1957. Back in Pennsylvania, she continued as a dietician as a civilian at Valley Forge Army Hospital.

After her military service, Verna devoted herself to raising her family while sharing her many creative talents. An accomplished seamstress and gifted artisan, she taught sewing classes at her home and decoupage and candlewicking classes at a local hobby shop, taking great pride in helping others unleash their creativity.

Her home was the true heart of her hospitality. The door was always open and the coffee was always on at Verna’s, where her dining room table was continuously filled with friends and neighbors from Gap. Whether carefully curating a picnic cooler for a family outing or effortlessly putting on a grand spread to feed a crowd, Verna possessed an extraordinary gift for making everyone feel welcomed, nourished, and deeply cared for. Her compassion extended far into her later years; well into her 80s, she regularly visited the elderly members of her church who needed companionship and cheer.

A woman of deep and abiding faith, Verna was a longtime member of Bellevue Presbyterian Church in Gap before later joining Faith Presbyterian Church in Quarryville.

Verna is lovingly remembered by her four children and their spouses: Debra Ann and Glenn Earl Bailey of Quarryville, PA, Carolyn Grace and Peter DiStefano of Downingtown, PA, Janine Marie and Mark Wilkin of Arlington, VA, and Gina and Thomas James Stoltzfus of Coatesville, PA. She also leaves behind thirteen cherished grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren and an eighth on the way, all of whom brought her immense pride and joy.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, James Elwood Stoltzfus, her identical twin sister, Vera Mae, her brother, Eugene “Genie” Millard, her stepdaughter, Beverly Ann Weir, and stepson-in-law, Ronald James Weir, and granddaughter Candice Nicole Weir.

A memorial service will be held at Bellevue Presbyterian Church, 810 Newport Road, Gap, PA on Friday, October 2, 2026 at 11:00 AM with viewing and visitation from 10:00 AM to the time of the service followed by interment in the adjoining cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Verna’s memory to Quarryville Presbyterian Retirement Community: Kinsman Fund at 625 Robert Fulton HIghway, Quarryville, PA 17566.