Margaret P. "Marge" (Ciavarella) Moschella

Margaret P. “Marge” Moschella, 96, Altoona, passed away Saturday at her daughter’s home. She was born in Altoona, daughter of the late Matteo and Caterina (Pompa) Ciavarella. On July 10, 1948, she married William J. Moschella at Our Lady of Mount Carmel and he preceded her in death on Oct. 31, 2011.

She is survived by 5 daughters, all of Altoona: Kathy Eberhardt (Russell Mento), Billie Coffman (Rob Kenawell), Teresa Moschella (Paul Mummert), Lori Moschella Keller (Gary), and Dena Vellone (Kirk Baser); 8 grandchildren: Michelle Fossum (Mark), Shawn Keller (Marie), Christi Lee Sheffer (Michael Reinhardt), Caitlin Keller (Josh Grove), Erin Rowles (Terry), Brian Keller (Brittany Robbins), Olivia Beard (Stefan), and Sophia Vellone; and 11 great-grandchildren: Jude, Taryn, Aleeya, Brayden, Jaxon, Eslynn, Khaos, Maura Rose, Charlotte, David, and Mia.

Marge was preceded in death by an infant brother, Michael A. Ciavarella, and a brother, Dr. Michael A. Ciavarella.

Marge was a 1943 Altoona High School graduate and then attended the Altoona School of Commerce.

Her first job was at Peerless Printing folding envelopes for 50 cents a week and later worked at the Overall Company. She took a Civil Service job working for the government in New Jersey, during the war in 1943-1944 in an Army and Navy plant, which made condensers for submarines. She also worked as a secretary at Stellabotte’s Insurance Agency, People’s Natural Gas Company and was a bookkeeper for A. Moschella and Sons Mason Contractors.

Marge was an Election Inspector for voting in Blair County for over 30 years. She was a 2014 recipient of the Prince Gallitzen Cross Award and a 2018 recipient of the St. Vincent De Paul Humanitarian award.

Marge was a member of the A & J IaIa Post Ladies Auxiliary, the San Donato Association, and the Ladies Bunco Club for over 50 years. She also served as the reunion committee chairperson for the Altoona High Class of 1943.

She was a member of the St. Mark’s choir, Christian Mother’s, Eucharistic Minister, and was Chairperson of the Kitchen Association. She served on the St. Mark’s parish council for 17 years, was an Administrative Assistant to the principal, and a library and teacher’s aide at the school. Marge was a member of Nocturnal Adoration, the Serra Club, and President of the St. Anthony of Padua Society.

At age 9, she started to play the accordion and played with local Italian bands. At age 14, she played in recitals for many years. She enjoyed sewing, crocheting, cooking, playing the organ, doing crafts, listening to Frank Sinatra music, and especially enjoyed family beach vacations to Ocean City, NJ. She crocheted hats for sick people and premature babies and they were given to the Altoona Hospital. She also loved Christmas and continued to decorate her tree by the seasons all year long. She was a social organizer of bus trips to New York and to the casinos. For many years she organized the Moschella family reunions, Christmas breakfasts, and all other family events.

Friends will be received from 5-8pm Wednesday, May 19, 2021 and from 2-4pm and 6-9pm on Thursday, May 20, 2021 in the Santella Funeral Home. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10am, Friday May 21, 2021 at St. Mark’s Catholic Church, Altoona with committal at Calvary Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Marge can be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105; the Central Pennsylvania Humane Society, 1837 E. Pleasant Valley Blvd. Altoona PA 16602; or to Bishop Guilfoyle High School, 2401 Pleasant Valley Blvd. Altoona PA 16602.

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