Louise McComas-Archdeacon's Obituary
Louise McComas-Archdeacon
January 22, 1931 – June 1, 2025
Louise McComas-Archdeacon was born on January 22, 1931, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to John and Emilie (née Kohnle) Felgenhauer. She graduated from Lower Merion High School in Ardmore, Pennsylvania, and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and a Master of Science degree in Library and Information Science from Drexel University in Philadelphia.
Louise began her career as a business education teacher in Ridley Park, Pennsylvania. She later became an executive medical secretary to the director of the medical department at Sun Oil Company in Philadelphia.
She married Thomas Brent McComas (deceased) of Narberth, Pennsylvania, and together they had two daughters: Susan Louise and Carol Anne (deceased). Louise continued her professional journey as a school librarian and later as a reference librarian at Temple University’s Ambler campus in Pennsylvania.
In 1986, Louise married Herbert C. Archdeacon (deceased), and in 1995, they relocated to Lewes, Delaware.
Louise’s greatest devotion was to her family, often describing herself as the “glue” that held them together. Her second passion was volunteering. She gave her time generously to numerous organizations in Pennsylvania including the PTA, Girl Scouts, Band Parents, Christ Lutheran Church in Oreland, and Hope Lodge in Fort Washington. She continued her volunteer work in Delaware at the Lewes Presbyterian Church, New Life Thrift Shop in Lewes, Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge in Milton, and the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Delaware in Lewes.
Louise is survived by her daughter, Susan Gresavage; two stepdaughters, Valerie Wanner and Beverly Matz; three grandchildren, Jennifer Gresavage, Thomas Gresavage, and Emilie Kovalik; and nine step-grandchildren: Delilah Alvarez, Michael Rocchino, Justin Reigle, Matthew Reigle, Jessica Archdeacon Fair, Anastasia Matz, Jacqueline Matz, Erica Matz, and Sarah Matz. She is also survived by her nieces and nephews—Alycia Felgenhauer Kohl, John Felgenhauer, Kimberly Felgenhauer, and Jonathan Felgenhauer—and by three great-grandchildren: Caleb Baez, Maddy Castaneda, and Harly Castaneda.
Interment will be private. Donations in Louise’s memory may be made to The Nature Conservancy, the Gift Fund of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Lewes, Delaware, or Friends of Cape Henlopen State Park, P.O. Box 132, Nassau, DE 19969.
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