Thelma D. Ralston, 103, library director

In 1918, when she was 6, Thelma Davis' father, David, died in Mahanoy City, Schuylkill County.

Her mother, Harriet, had to send Thelma and her four siblings - from 2 years old to 10 - to live in what is now Mooseheart Child City and School in Illinois.

Opened in 1913 by the Moose fraternal organization, "at the time, it was the model place to raise a child" who lacked a parent or a nurturing home, a granddaughter, Kathy Simpkins, said.

A relative, James J. Davis, is credited by the organization with the concept, Simpkins said.

"She loved it there," Simpkins said. "They provided a safe place and they took care of her."

On Thursday, Feb. 26, Thelma Davis Ralston, 103, of Franklinville, the full-time director of the Clementon Memorial Library from 1943 to 2003, died at Inspira Medical Center Elmer.

Mrs. Ralston was named Citizen of the Year for 1998-99 by Clementon Borough, and was master of ceremonies for the July Fourth parade in 1999.

Born in Mahanoy City, she and three of her siblings - the fourth died in Illinois - "went back to live with her mom, who had remarried," when Thelma was 11.

In Mahanoy City, "she only had a ninth grade education," Simpkins said, "and worked in a hosiery factory, on the production line."

Before she married, "she was also household help to a family - cooked, nannied, did laundry."

In her early 20s, Mrs. Ralston and her husband, Arthur, moved to Clementon in the 1930s, Simpkins said.

And she began working "at Clementon Park when it was booming," an amusement park with a dance hall where "she was the manager of the concession stands."

In 1941, Mrs. Ralston became a volunteer at the Clementon Memorial Library and in 1943 began her 60-year career as its salaried director.

"She loved reading, loved books, loved to share that with others, especially children," Simpkins said.

A founding member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Clementon, she was a member of the Mary Martha Circle there, a Girl Scout leader and a member of the town's American Legion Post No. 94 Auxiliary.

Besides Simpkins, Mrs. Ralston is survived by daughter Merle Miller, eight grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren.

A visitation was set from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. Saturday, March 7, at Good Shepherd Church, 120 White Horse Pike, Lindenwold, before an 11 a.m. funeral service there, with interment in Berlin Cemetery.

Donations may be sent to Mooseheart Child City and School Inc., Mooseheart, Ill. 60539 or www.mooseheart.org.

Condolences may be offered to the family at www.orawoosterfuneralhome.com.