Maureen Ivy Ann VanGorder, age 78, passed away on June 6th after a courageous battle with breast cancer, at Hospice of Northwest Ohio. She was born to Arthur and Phyllis Solomon on February 13, 1934 in Costessy, Norfolk, England. She grew up in rural England and always appreciated being raised in the country and the simple lessons learned of hard work and independence. She loved to tell fascinating stories of her childhood growing up in England and living through good and often difficult times. She vividly remembered living through World War II as a young girl and the sacrifices of her family. It was in 1952, at a local dance hall with her friends, that she met the love of her life, Henry VanGorder, who was a US Airman stationed there during the Korean conflict. They married in August of 1954 and then went to Henry'™s next duty station in Germany. Late in the following year, Henry was discharged from the Air Force, they traveled by ship to the US with their first son, who had been born at a hospital in Lansthul, Germany. Maureen often told of how anxious she was about meeting her new in-laws for the first time and bringing their first grandchild. Maureen and Henry made their home in Toledo and then moved to Northwood in the early 1970'™s. Maureen proudly became a US Citizen in 1961. Maureen volunteered many hours as a Cub Scout Den Mother, room mother and with the PTA at Cherry School and was very dedicated to the work and leadership at Eastminster Presbyterian Church. She taught Sunday school, served on several boards and was an integral part of the Presbyterian Women. Maureen was an Avon Representative for over 40 years and took great pride in her business. She funded her many trips back to England and took her boys and Henry on several events. Her mother and step father, as well as several of her siblings came to the US for visits ��" and those were very special occasions. Maureen was steadfastly devoted to her family and was a powerful advocate and caregiver of her six grandchildren. She 'œstepped up' for them many, many times in their growing up and would plan countless special days and outings with them. Maureen was an avid seamstress, an accomplished knitter and enjoyed playing Bunco with her friends. She and Henry enjoyed round and square dancing and she made all of their dancing costumes. She enjoyed organizing a neighborhood 'œyard sale' each summer for many years near their Northwood home. Maureen was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Henry, brothers, Peter and Ron, sister, Mary, and daughter-in-law Johneen. She is survived by her sons, Steven (Robin) and Keith, grandchildren, Megan, Devin, Melinda, Dawn and Kearah VanGorder, Crystal (Ben) Lindsay, great-grandchildren, Madison and Gracey Lindsay and Kowin VanGorder-Whisman, brothers, Michael and David Solomon, sister, Margaret Wadbrook and step-father, Ivor Swatmann. Visitation will be from 9am to 12 noon on Saturday, June 16th at Eggleston Meinert & Pavley Funeral Home, 440 South Coy Rd, Oregon, OH. Memorial service at 1:00pm on June, 16th at Eastminster Presbyterian Church, 700 Woodville Rd, Toledo, OH. The family suggests memorial tributes to Eastminster Presbyterian Church or Hospice of Northwest Ohio. Visitation: 9 am until 12:00 p.m. Saturday, June 16, 2012 at Eggleston Meinert & Pavley Funeral Home. Services: 1:00 p.m. Saturday, June 16, 2012 at Eastminster Presbyterian Church.