Obituary of Carlene Rae McCaffrey

Carlene R. McCaffrey (Kocher), age 84, passed away peacefully at home on September 5, 2022. She was born March 23, 1938, and was the daughter of the late Carleton and Ada Mae Kocher. She attended Laketon (Lake Noxen) and married her high school sweetheart, James O. McCaffrey of Harveys Lake in 1958. The only years Carlene spent living outside of Harveys Lake was while Jim was stationed at Schilling Air Force Base in Salina, Kansas, while serving in the Unites States Air Force. Upon returning to Harveys Lake, Carlene and Jim owned and operated Old Sandy Bottom Beach, allowing hundreds of people each summer to enjoy the lake. After closing the beach in 1984, Carlene worked at different local businesses such as Commonwealth Telephone Company and Laumeyers Landing and was known for her meticulous record keeping. Carlene was a staple of the Back Mountain and was often found at local events to support her community. She was a long-time member of Trinity Presbyterian Church in Dallas where she served as an elder and Clerk of Session. She also volunteered in various capacities with the Harveys Lake Fire Department, Harveys Lake Protective Association, and Kocher Cemetery. She also enjoyed sitting on her back deck in the PA Fish and Boat Commission Boat Launch, watching all of the activity and talking with friends. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, Jim. Carlene is survived by her sons, Norman and wife Tamiko of Harveys Lake and Bernard and wife Annie of Harveys Lake; grandchildren, Crystal Meinert and husband Mark of Dallas and Cory McCaffrey of Lehman; sister Tanya Christ and husband John of Factoryville; brother C. Don Kocher and wife Alice of Harveys Lake; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. A private graveside service will be held at the convenience of the family. Arrangements are by the Curtis L. Swanson Funeral Home, Inc., corner of routes 29 and 118, Pikes Creek. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Trinity Presbyterian Church, 105 Irem Rd, Dallas, PA 18612.