A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Saturday for Josephine Rosa McMath of Sharon, formerly of Victory Drive, Sharpsville. She passed away peacefully of natural causes at 12:55 p.m. Saturday (12-19-15) in the emergency room of Sharon Regional Health System. She was 86.

Mrs. McMath was born April 28, 1929, in Sharpsville, one of 11 children born to Pasquale and Mary G. Galloni Rosa Rosati.

A lifelong area resident, she graduated from Sharpsville High School in 1947 and was crowned the first Sharpsville Pigskin Queen, later homecoming queen.

Josephine graduated from Slippery Rock University, where she earned her bachelor's degree in education.

She was an elementary school teacher for Sharon City School District at Case Avenue School.

Josephine was a member of Sharon Regional Hospital Ladies Auxiliary, where she enjoyed volunteering countless hours.

She was a member of St. Bartholomew's Church, Sharpsville, and taught CCD (Confraternity of Christian Doctrine) classes.

Josephine loved to take walks near her home and throughout Buhl Park; she loved to read and spend time with her family.

Her husband, Melvin J. "Micky" McMath, whom she married June 26, 1948, passed away Aug. 15, 1994.

She is survived by a sister, Rose Buchanon, New Jersey, formerly of Hermitage; and several nieces and nephews, great-nieces and -nephews, and great-great nieces and -nephews.

In addition to her husband and her parents, she was preceded in death by her son, Michael P. McMath, who passed away June 7, 1995; four brothers, Samuel J. Rosa Jr. and Louis, Joseph and Anthony Rosa; and five sisters, Della Rosati, Mary Stiggi, Jenny DelFratte, Theresa Cashier and Anna Petuch.

Mrs. Melvin J. "Micky" (Josephine Rosa), 86, Sharon, formerly of Victory Drive, Sharpsville.

Calling hours: 9 to 9:30 a.m. Saturday (12-26-15) in J. BRADLEY McGONIGLE FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORY Inc., 1090 E. State St. Sharon.

Service: Mass of Christian burial at 10 a.m. Saturday in St. Bartholomew's Church, 311 W. Ridge Ave., Sharpsville, with the Rev. Matthew J. Strickenberger, pastor, as celebrant.

Interment: St. Mary's Cemetery, Hermitage.