Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Friday (3-16-12) for Mary Szakach Chaklos, Elm Av., Sharon who passed away peacefully at 3:40 p.m. on Tuesday (3-13-12) in Nugent Convalescent Home, Hermitage of natural causes with her family at her side. She was 96.
Mary was born October 7, 1915, in Passaic, NJ, the daughter of and Michael and Mary Redl Sandor.
A lifelong area resident, she was a 1933 graduate of Sharon High School.
Mary was last employed as a Cosmetology Supervisor, Instructor, and Model with Cheena's Beauty Academy, Sharpsville, and was a Supervisor and Instructor at Angela's Beauty Academy, Sharon.
She previously worked as a Breaker Tester at The former Sharon Transformer Division of the Westinghouse Electric Corporation and as a waitress at Shrafft's Restaurant in New York City.
Mary was proud of her first job in New York and saved her 1934 menu, showing luncheon plates for 75 cents, which included dessert and a beverage.
Mary was a member of the former Mercer County Women's Motor Corps, who assisted the Red Cross centers with emergency calls during WWII. Mary was also a former member of the North Sharon Fire Department's Auxiliary.
Her hobbies included dancing at Kuzman's and Avon Oaks as well as at Yankee Lake. Mary spoke the Hungarian language fluently and enjoyed sharing her ethnic cooking and baking.
Mary was a member of St. Joseph's Church and was a former member of Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church. She was also a member of the Sacred Heart Church Altar Society.
George Szakach, whom she married in 1936, passed away in 1973. Her second husband, George Chaklos, whom she married in 1986, passed away in 2009. Mary was also preceded in death by her daughter, Barbara Szakach Hamill, and her brothers, Michael and Albert.
Surviving are 2 sons, George Szakach and his wife Emilie, Sewickley, PA; John Szakach, Evergreen, CO; and a daughter, Mary Beth Szakach Hassan and her husband Jim, Greensburg, PA. She is also survived by several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.
Also surviving are 2 brothers, Louis, Lancaster, OH; and Joseph and his wife Helen of Brookfield, OH.
Mary's family would like to thank the staff and residents of Nugent's Convalescent Home for their care and support during the past 9 years.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Prince of Peace Center, 502 Darr Avenue, Farrell, PA 16121.
Calling hours: 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday (3-15-12) in the J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory Inc. 1090 E. State St. Sharon. To post a tribute or to view her obituary on line visit the web site www.McGonigleFuneralHomeandCrematory.com
Services: Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Friday at 10:00 a.m. in St. Joseph's Church with Rev. Glenn R. Whitman, pastor as the Celebrant.
Interment: Holy Trinity R.C. Cemetery, Hermitage.