PETRARCA MARSHA B. Of Butler, PA, passed away at the VNA Inpatient Hospice on Sunday, September 27, 2015. She was born on May 8, 1940, in Grove City, PA to the late Nicholas A. Petrarca and Carrie (White) Petrarca. She was a 1958 Grove City High School graduate and a 1963 graduate from Slippery Rock State Teachers College (now SRU); she later received a Master's degree in Library Science from University of Pittsburgh. Marsha was an elementary educator for the Butler Area School District for 39 years, and held many leadership positions for the teachers in the BEA and the PSEA. Upon her retirement, she continued to serve the school district as a math consultant. Her passion for serving continued through community volunteering and mission ministry. In Butler County, Marsha volunteered with the United Way, Butler Hospital Auxiliary and was a charter member of the Westminster Presbyterian Church. Her mission work took her abroad to India and South Korea. One of her favorite mission trips was here in the US serving the Navajo Indians in Window Rock, Arizona. Shirley L. Kerr, a friend and travel companion shared in both Marsha's ministry and travel interests. They enjoyed visiting many foreign countries together. All who knew Marsha will continue to speak of the rare treasure she was in to this world. A sincere, hard-working, honest, caring, giving, concerned, and godly women. Marsha is survived by her sister, Charine (Sherry) Hovanec of Butler, PA; and her sister-in-law, Ann Petrarca of Hermitage, PA; her nieces and nephews whom Marsha considered her children, Stephen (Christina) Petrarca, John (Cindi) Petrarca, Cynthia Ann Petrarca, Anne-Rene (Morgan) Petrarca-Smith, Matthew (Colleen) Hovanec and Rachel (Jeffrey) Hovanec-Spirer. Marsha's endless love continued to be shared with the many great-nieces and nephews who were in her life. She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Wayne R. Petrarca; and brother-in-law, Thomas J. Hovanec. There will be no public visitation. A Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, October 4, 2015, at 3:00 p.m. at the Westminster Presbyterian Church in America, 420 North Main Street, Butler, PA 16001, with Pastor Dan Ledford officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Butler Area Public Library, 218 N. McKean Street, Butler, PA 16001, Coalition for Christian Outreach, 5912 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15206, or Golden Tornado Scholastic Foundation, Inc., 110 Campus Lane, Butler, PA 16001. A private burial will take place in the Butler County Memorial Park. Online condolences may be given at: www.thompson-miller.com Send condolences post-gazette.com/gb
↧