Anna Goga Racketa, 500 Clarksville Rd., Hermitage; formerly of Mesabi St., Sharon, passed Tuesday evening, May 5, 2009 in the hospital of the Sharon Regional Health System. She was 84.
Ann was born September 1, 1924 in Sharon a daughter of John and Mary Grexa Goga. A lifelong area resident she attended Sharon High School.
Ann and her husband Lester owned and operated the former Racketa Floral Shop in Sharon for 55 years. Prior to her marriage, she was employed at the former Sharon Transformer Division of the Westinghouse Electric Corporation. A homemaker, she was a life-long active member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Hermitage, where she was a member of the DORCAS Society, the Ladies Aide Society and the church choir. Earlier in her life she was active with the Sharon High School Band Boosters, Sharon Little League, the Brownie's and Girl Scout organizations where she served as an assistant leader. She also loved to play bingo with her sister-in-law and best friend, Ethel Johnston.
A wonderful wife, mother and grandmother, Ann treasured the time she shared with her family. She was a very sweet person who was always smiling and was very proud of her husband, her children and her beautiful grandchildren.
Her husband, Lester Racketa, whom she married November 23, 1946, passed away March 8, 2006.
She is survived by two daughters, Ruth A. Porsch and her husband Alan J., Sharpsville; and Joyce L. Morgenstern and her husband Les N., Johnstown; a son, Dennis L. Racketa and his wife Julie, Hermitage; a brother John Goga and his wife Carol, Sharpsville; four grandchildren, Jody L. Garber and her husband Mike; Kimberly A. Duncan and her husband Chad; Brittany L. Morgenstern; and Brett M. Morgenstern; eight great grandchildren, Marlon, Miles and Olivia Garber; and Alexis, Zachary, Madison, Emily and Adalyn Duncan; a special niece, Marlene Santore; many nieces and nephews; a great niece; and one great nephew.
In addition to her parents and her husband, Ann was preceded in death by two sisters, Margaret Combine and Mary Goga; and a brother, William Goga.
The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the American Cancer Society, 320 Bilmar Dr., Pittsburgh, PA 15205-4620; or to the American Heart Association, 15120 Collections Center Drive, Chicago, IL 60693
Calling hours: 5-8 p.m., Thursday, May 7, 2009 in the J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 1090 E. State Street, Sharon.
Services: 10:00 a.m., Friday, May 8, 2009 in Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Hermitage with Pastor Sandra Samuel officiating.
Interment: Holy Trinity Lutheran Cemetery, Hermitage.