Obituary of Moira P. Rankin

NAME OF DECEASED: Moira Patricia Rankin, 81 Rose Valley Actress and Homemaker Moira Patricia Rankin, 81, of Rose Valley, died at home on October 7th She was born in Southend-on-Sea, Essex, England to Emily and Stanley Glasscock. During World War II, she and her fellow Southend Girls High School class evacuated from their coastal home to inland Manchester, England. Just after World War II ended in Europe, Moira met American Air Force Officer Charles Ewing Rankin of Chester. The two were married on August 31, 1946. They moved to Chester and lived in Delaware County ever since Moira died at their home in Rose Valley where they have lived since 1962. Moira's highest academic achievement was a Master's degree from Temple University. Moira was a vibrant member of the Rose Valley community. She actively contributed to community affairs at Rose Valley Folk, Rose Valley Pool, and Especially at Hedgerow Theatre where she launched her acting career. In addition to roles there, such as the nurse in "Romeo and Juliet", Moria's acting career flourished at Swarthmore Player's club, People's Light and Theatre, Arden Theatre, and at the Walnut Theatre in Philadelphia. In the 1990's, Moira became a member of Actor's Equity and played bit roles in the films Witness, Clean and Sober, and Dead Poets Society. Moira and her husband both enjoyed Gilbert & Sullivan operettas, Shakespeare's plays and classical music. Every year they traveled to England and Scotland where they visited friends and relatives. Their trips took them to other countries in Western Europe as well As Russia, China and Australia. SURVIVORS: She is survived by her husband of 64 years, Charles Rankin; five Children: Gwenyth Ludwig, Hilary Eshelman, Lorna LaRiviere, Faith Warren and Neil Rankin; and fifteen grandchildren. BURIAL: Private SERVICE: 1:30 p.m. at the Wallingford Presbyterian Church, 110 E. Brookhaven Wallingford on Saturday, November 6th. DONATIONS: In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hedgerow Theatre at 146 W. Rose Valley Road, Rose Valley, PA 19086