Obituary of Temple C. Rykaczewski

Temple Carlton Rykaczewski, 91, of Trappe, PA died peacefully on January 21, 2016 at Columbia Cottage of Collegeville. Born in Germantown, Philadelphia, PA on June 23, 1924 she was the youngest child of the late John and Grace (Wiley) Lubitz. A graduate of Germantown High School, Temple enjoyed spending time in Virginia on her grandmother's farm at Horseshoe Bend on the Shenandoah River. She worked for the Philadelphia Gas Works Company and married Edward Matthew Rykaczewski on April 24, 1948. Ed and Temple moved from Hull Drive in Wyndmoor to Plymouth Valley when the neighborhood was being developed. She lived in the family home on Chelsea Road until a few years ago. "Temp" and Ed raised their four children in Plymouth Valley. She was a loving mother and grandmother. The family home was quite a menagerie with hamsters, chameleons, tropical fish, cats, and dogs. Temple liked to sketch and was an avid reader, a published writer of poetry and stories from her childhood, and a lifelong learner. She attended workshops and conferences whenever possible. Temple was a devoted member of Covenant Presbyterian Church of Hatboro, PA and served as a Den Mother for Cub Scout Pack 216 in Plymouth Valley. She worked for the Colonial School District, first as Head Cashier in the Cafeteria and later as a Teacher's Aide for students with special needs, whom she loved dearly. Her greatest joy was spending time with her family, especially reading to her grandchildren. Temple was preceded in death by her beloved husband and best friend, Edward M. Rykaczewski, who passed away in 2005. She is survived by her daughter, Lauren G. (Dennis) Carriere of Ajo, AZ; son, Edward C. Rykaczewski of East Norriton PA; son, Andrew C. (Donna) Rykaczewski of Collegeville, PA; son, John N. (Elizabeth) Rykaczewski of Trappe, PA. Temple is also survived by her sister, Neva Lee, brother-in-law Robert Lee, and her seven precious grandchildren: Rachel, Robert, David, Adam, Ian, Michael, and Amy. In addition to her husband and parents, Temple was preceded in death by her brothers Kenneth and Darwin. Her funeral service will be held on Monday, February 1 at 8:45AM at Moore, Snear, and Ruggiero Funeral Home, 224 W. Main St, Trappe, PA, 19426. Pastor Morrison of Covenant Church will officiate. Friends may call on Monday at 8:15AM at the Funeral Home. Interment will take place in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. Rykaczewski's memory to the National Center for Learning Disabilities http://ncld.org/ Temple lived most of her life in Plymouth Valley where she raised her family. She was a devoted member of Covenant Presbyterian Church of Hatboro, Pa. She served as a Den Mother for the Cub Scouts in Plymouth Meeting. She worked for the Colonial School District as the Head Cashier in the Cafeteria as well as a Teacher's Aide for students with special needs whom she loved dearly. She most enjoyed time spent with her family, especially reading to her grandchildren.