Maria E. (McElhinny) (Lyle) Wimer, age 73, of Brookville, PA, passed away comfortably on Friday, December 16, 2016, in the familiar surroundings of her home on Route 322.

She was born in Pittsburgh PA, on May 6, 1943, to the late John Leo and Rose Marie (Stinner) McElhinny.

In her earlier years she worked for the Jefferson Manor in Brookville, PA, and eventually moved positions to Beverage Air in Brookville, PA. She stayed with them for about 15 years and eventually was unable to continue working.

Maria was very creative and she had many talents.

She was an unselfish “teacher of life” to her daughter-in-laws and anyone else who wanted to learn a different way of doing something. Everyone else’s needs came before her own because she was a natural caregiver and she was very thoughtful. She was always laughing, she loved making others laugh with her.

Maria was a great singer and unmatched in her yodeling skills.

She managed to stay in the limelight as the life of the McElhinny “Shing-Dings” and she loved spending time with all of her family; her grandkids were her favorite though.

Being outdoors brought her great joy and she took pride in caring for her garden that was always full of beautiful flowers. She was a seamstress, a barber, an amazing cook, and she could do light carpentry which came in handy because she liked making bird houses.

Although it’s never easy to let someone go, it is very fitting that she passed on during her favorite time of year, she loved the Christmas season and all of the baking, cooking, and decorating that went along with it.

Maria is a beautiful woman with a beautiful legacy that will be cherished through time.

She is survived by 2 sons; Darren (Anne) Lyle of Brookville, PA; Brian (Amy) Lyle of Punxsutawney, PA; 1 daughter; Teresa Bish of DuBois, PA; 10 sisters; 5 brothers; 7 grandchildren; and 7 great-grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, Maria is preceded in death by 2 brothers.

Family and friends will be received on Sunday, December 18, 2016, from 2 — 4pm, at the McKinney — d’Argy Funeral Home, ltd, 345 Main St., Brookville PA, 15825.

A celebration of life service will immediately follow the viewing, beginning at 4:00pm, and focusing mostly on the love and memories that her friends and family will share.

Interment will take place at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Rose Twp., Jefferson Co., PA.

Memorial contributions may be made in her name to the Alzheimer’s Association, by visiting www.alz.org, or to the VNA Hospice, 271 Perkins Rd., Clarion PA, 16214.

Online condolences and other information may be found at www.mckinneydargy.com