Lydia Martha Mabry

York, PA – Lydia Martha (Galad) Mabry, 85, passed away on Wednesday, October 16, 2019, at UPMC Memorial Hospital in York, PA. Born on September 20, 1934 in Bulgaria, she was a daughter of the late Pastor Johannes and Martha E. (Ripke) Galad. Mrs. Mabry grew up in Germany during World War II with her parents and five siblings. At the young age of 17, she began her nursing studies at the Charity Hospital in Berlin, Germany and obtained her Bachelors degree from Humboldt University. Working as a registered nurse for 47 years, she was a civilian nurse for the United States Army in Stuttgart, Germany prior to coming to the United States with her GI husband James "Sonny" Mabry and infant daughter. One of her proudest moments was becoming a naturalized United States citizen in 1960. Mrs. Mabry was a cardiac care nurse at the University of Mississippi Medical Center and had a distinguished 25 year career at the Mississippi Baptist Medical Center in cardiac care, IV Therapy, and ER triage before her retirement in 1998. When not working or attending classes and conferences to improve her nursing skills, Mrs. Mabry spent time with her daughter Mary Rose, traveling, eating out, and creating a home for the two of them. After work, Mrs. Mabry enjoyed watching television, especially cooking and jewelry shows. After her retirement, she spent time traveling, visiting New Orleans, the Bahamas, Niagara Falls, Lake Erie and many more places. She also enjoyed spending time with her family and watching movies, attending the theatre and eating out. In 2009, she moved from Brandon, MS to Pennsylvania to spend her remaining years living closer to her daughter. Mrs. Mabry is survived by her daughter, Mary Rose Kelly and husband David; 2 grandchildren, Regina and James Dolce; 3 step grandchildren; 2 great grandchildren and twins on the way; 2 sisters, Margit and Johanna Galad, and numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by 2 sisters, Vera Lutzkendorf and Eva Keitel, and a brother, Martin Galad. Condolences can be sent on Heffnercare.com.