GUTTSHALL Needa I. Guttshall (nee Fox), aged 97, of Broomall, PA passed away peacefully on January 25, 2026 after a brief illness. Born on January 1, 1929, Needa was celebrated as the first New Year’s baby born in Bloomsburg, PA even getting her picture in the newspaper. She was the daughter of Frederick R. FoxContinue Reading
Needa I. Guttshall
January 1, 1929 - January 25, 2026
GUTTSHALL
Needa I. Guttshall (nee Fox), aged 97, of Broomall, PA passed away peacefully on January 25, 2026 after a brief illness. Born on January 1, 1929, Needa was celebrated as the first New Year’s baby born in Bloomsburg, PA even getting her picture in the newspaper. She was the daughter of Frederick R. Fox and Verna M. (Newhart) Fox.
Needa graduated from Bloomsburg High School then worked at the Novelty Toy Company. She married the love of her life, Donald W. Guttshall, on July 10, 1949 after Don was discharged from the Air Force. The young couple moved to Philadelphia where Needa worked in quality control at Philco. They moved to Secane, PA to start a family then to a larger home in Broomall, PA. Needa loved children and was blessed to bring 4 children into the world: a son, twin daughters and a daughter.
Needa’s life revolved around her family first and foremost. She came to every one of her children’s concerts, attended PTA meetings and volunteered at school and church. She led Scholastic book sales and managed the elementary school library. Needa volunteered as den leader for the cub scouts and assisted with Marple Newtown Band activities.
Needa loved learning. She was an avid reader. She enjoyed sewing clothing for the family and making crocheted gifts for friends and family. In her later years, Needa was captivated by ancient Egyptian culture, pouring over books and tv documentaries to learn more about the rich history.
A lifelong lover of animals, Needa ensured that her backyard bird feeders were always full for the birds, squirrels, chipmunks, deer and racoons. She loved all her dogs and enjoyed when her children brought their dogs for visits.
Needa and Don loved music. Needa played piano and liked to sit down at her piano to play favorite songs such as “I Can’t Get Started with You”, “Silent Night” and other tunes. After Don retired, they enjoyed numerous camping trips at Sherando Lake in Virginia with their good friends Elaine and Walt Bailey and Iris and Raymond Taylor.
Years after losing her beloved husband Don, Needa moved to Barclay Friends in West Chester, PA. She developed friendships with staff and other residents. She especially enjoyed holiday musical entertainment and visits with therapy dogs.
Needa built a life of love, warmth and caring that extended far beyond the four walls of their home. While she preferred a quiet life, she enjoyed chatting with people she’d meet at the doctor’s office and around her community.
Needa was predeceased by her husband, Donald W. Guttshall, her parents, Verna (Newhart) and Frederick Fox, and her sister, Inez Boone (the late Miles). She is survived by her children, Donald L. (Ellen), Deborah Guttshall (Gary Stump), Diane McGowan (William), and Sandra Cordani (Clifford), her grandchildren, Lauren (Tim), Chris (Krissy), Stephen (fiancé Iesha), Robert, and Shannon (Rich), and her great-grandchildren, Olivia, Ava, Emilia, Weston, Hannah, Elise and Dean.
Services will be held privately at a later date.
Contributions in Needa’s memory may be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children at https://donate.shrinerschildrens.org or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at https://www.stjude.org/.
ARR. DANJOLELL MEMORIAL HOME
