Mary Alta (Yorlets) Rife

Mary Alta (Yorlets) Rife of Natick, MA passed away peacefully on November 6, 2025, at the age of 95. She was born in Mechanicsburg, PA on October 26, 1930, to the late John and Beatrice (Bucher)  Yorlets. Mary was the beloved wife of the late Conwell K. Rife Sr. for 60 years. They lived together on farms in Chambersburg, PA and she was actively involved with the work on the farm. She worked as a secretary/bookkeeper over the years as well. Her many volunteer activities included leadership roles in 4-H, Farm Women’s Group, various church activities, Chambersburg Hospital volunteer, and as an election board poll worker. Their life together included travel in the US, Canada, Mexico, Australia, China and the Pacific Islands.

Mary always had time to hear of the travels and accomplishments of her grandchildren. She loved to travel to see them as they scattered across the country and to celebrate holidays, graduations, weddings, and showers with them.

For the last 6 years, Mary has lived in Natick, MA to be close to her daughter Cathy. She passed her days making quilt tops for Katie’s Quilters of Christ Lutheran Church, doing word searches, watching her favorite game shows and taking a daily walk.

Mary is remembered fondly by her three children and spouses: Catherine “Cathy” Gallagher and her husband Robert of Natick, Barbara Ziegler and her husband William of VA and Conwell K. “Bud” Rife Jr. and his wife Noreen of PA. She is the loving grandmother of Paul Gallagher, George Ziegler and his wife Brianne, Katharine Gallagher, Caitlyn Rife, Ciera Rife, Chloe Spencer and her husband Ashton and great grandmother of Evelyn Ziegler. Grandchildren Madeline Gallagher and Ian Ziegler predeceased her in childhood. Mary is the sister of Paul Yorlets. Two other brothers, John and Lloyd predeceased her. Mary has lived a good life and will be missed by many friends, cousins and extended family.

The family wishes to thank the Beatrice McKinley Agency, especially Irene, Ruth, and Evelyn for their wonderful home health care of Mary for the past seven months. We also want to express our appreciation for the services of Kelly, Leslie, and Diana of Good Shepherd Community Care.

The Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, December 12, 2025, at the Greenvillage Church of God, 5164 Philadelphia Avenue, Chambersburg, PA. 

Visiting hours will be before the service from 10:00 to 11:00 am at the church. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Mary may be made to Meals on Wheels Springwell, 307 Waverley Oaks Road, Suite 205 Waltham, MA 02452 or Good Shepherd Community Care (Hospice) 160 Wells Ave Newton, MA 02459. For the guest book please visit www.everettfuneral.com.

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