Mrs. Somers graduated from the School of the Holy Child in Sharon Hill and earned a bachelor's degree from Immaculata University. In her youth, she was an accomplished harpist and pianist, and performed in area concerts.
In 1946, she married John I. Somers Jr. She taught for several years in Philadelphia public schools before starting a family. While raising five children, she was a choir director and catechism teacher at Our Lady of Assumption Church in Strafford; served as president of the mothers club at Notre Dame de Namur School in Villanova; and was a volunteer at Bryn Mawr Hospital.
In 1960, she became a volunteer at the Devon Horse Show and Country Fair, which benefits the hospital. She would be involved with the fair for more than 45 years and was twice honored as Volunteer of the Year.
In 2005, Mrs. Somers was serving on the Devon Horse Show board when she was interviewed by The Inquirer about her experiences.
In the early years, she said, she worked in the candy area, and the recipe for the homemade fudge "was a sworn secret." Later, she was treasurer and chairwoman of the "Devon Derby" raffle. She and the women volunteers worked at the fair from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m. all week. They dressed in linen shirtdresses and brought extra nylons in case they got a run.
Mrs. Somers was also a volunteer for Philadelphia Hospitality, a nonprofit organization that provides cultural experiences for visitors. She grew up on Rittenhouse Square and loved "showing off her city," her daughter Elizabeth Ottaway said.
In addition to her daughter, Mrs. Somers is survived by daughters Christine and Susan; a son, John III; eight grandchildren; and a great-granddaughter. Her former husband died in 2005. A daughter, Kathleen, died in 1977.
A Funeral Mass will be said at 10:30 a.m. tomorrow at Our Mother of Good Counsel Church, 31 Pennswood Rd., Bryn Mawr. Friends may call at 9:30 a.m. Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, Yeadon.
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