Henrietta C. Adams, 82, of Mars, formerly of Mount Carmel, Pa., died Wednesday at the St. John Specialty Care Center, Mars, after being in declining health since August.

Born March 5, 1926, in Mount Carmel, she was a daughter of the late Francis "Frank" and Catherine Pearl Gethrdge Puchalski.

She was a 1944 high school graduate of the Mount Carmel schools and had been a resident of Mount Carmel all of her life.

A head cashier, she was employed by the former Ames Department Store in Shamokin for more than 25 years, retiring in 1991. Before that, she worked as a long distance operator for Bell Telephone in Newark, N.J., and as a payroll clerk for the U.S. government.

She was a member of Grace Lutheran Church and a life member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary, both of Mount Carmel.

An avid reader, she also enjoyed crossword puzzles.

Survivors include her children, Karen M. (Bruce Blankinship) Adams of Beaverton, Ore., and the Rev. Marsha (Rev. Keith Deckinger) Adams Deckinger of Vandergrift; and grandchildren, Katrina, John and Robert Deckinger.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Merlin "Ace" Adams, in 2003; and a sister, Bernice Shimko.

<B>ADAMS</B> — A memorial service for Henrietta C. Adams, who died Wednesday, Dec. 3, has been scheduled for 2 p.m. Dec. 15 at Calvary Lutheran Church, 1721 Victoria Ave., Arnold.Arrangements have been entrusted to the <B>ROSS G. WALKER FUNERAL HOME</B>, 217 Freeport Road, New Kensington, 724-335-1234.Those desiring may contribute to the Mount Carmel Public Library, Mount Carmel, PA 17851; the Vandergrift Public Library, Vandergrift, PA 15690; or St. John Specialty Care, 500 Wittenberg Way, Mars, PA 16046.To send an online condolence, visit at www.rossgwalker.com.