Wall Of Remembrance Book Will Benefit Park

For 18 years, Gladys Fry Crowl was involved in a labor of love. Working alongside Ron Reedy, who passed in 2016; Phil McCloud; Dale Shelley; and later Deborah Oesch, Crowl created a book titled "Lititz Wall of Remembrance Biographies - In Recognition of Those Who Built Our Community."

The Wall of Remembrance was originated by the Lititz Borough in celebration of the 250th anniversary of Lititz, which celebrated the years from 1756 to 2006. The Wall of Remembrance is located on the south side of Lititz Springs Park near the Spruce Street entrance. The wall, which was dedicated on Sept. 17, 2006, in conjunction with the town's 250th anniversary, bears the names of more than 300 citizens who were instrumental to Lititz.

Crowl, who is 95, finally saw the book published in October of 2020, and she is hoping that Lititz residents who share her love of the town will carry on the work. She remembers details from when the group first met at her home in 2002 such as who drank cranberry juice, coffee, or V8. The meetings resulted in parameters for both the wall and the book. "We came up with the names of the people who had done the most for Lititz from the founding in 1756 to 2006," recalled Crowl. "I got the job of figuring out the credentials for being on the wall," she said, reporting that the person had to be deceased, have lived in Lititz, and have done something that was important to the history of Lititz. Crowl made numerous trips to the library, printing out obituaries and bringing them home to continue her part of the task.

The completed hardbound book includes biographies of the 302 Lititz residents who were commemorated on the wall. The biographies are listed alphabetically, with the reason the person was included and birth and death dates. Books may be purchased at the Lititz Welcome Center, the Moravian Mission Gift Shop, Aaron's Books, and The Artisan Mill. Proceeds from the sale of the books will benefit Lititz Springs Park.

At her advanced age, Crowl is anxious to see a group continue the work by documenting the citizens of Lititz who have made significant contributions from 2006 through 2026, when the borough will hit the 270-year mark. "We want to continue with this," said Crowl, who has been saving the obituaries of people she thinks should be considered for the next book. "I want people who love Lititz and who knew these people (to continue this work). I want somebody with a passion (for Lititz)," she stressed, adding, "This is my baby."

Readers who are interested in continuing the project honoring Lititz citizens may email dyoesch@verizon.net or call 717-626-5884.