Rosalie F. "Leah" Pontera, formerly of 1918 Paul St., Farrell, passed away peacefully at 10 p.m. Friday (3-6-09) in Nugent Convalescent Home, Hermitage, following an extended illness. She was 95.

Mrs. Pontera was born July 27, 1913 in Farrell a daughter of the late Frank F. and Corinne Meli Scardina.

A lifelong area resident, she was a 1930 graduate of Farrell High School.

Leah was a lifelong member of Our Lady of Fatima-St. Ann's Church, Farrell, and served with dedication in the Altar and Rosary and Mt. Carmel Societies. She was also a member and past president of the Catholic Daughters of America, Farrell Court.

Leah worked as a fashion/bridal consultant at the former Strouss-Hirschberg in Sharon; Town and Tweed and J.C. Penney Co., both Hermitage; and managed Cheena's Bridal Salon, also of Hermitage. She was gifted at custom designing bridal headpieces and also worked for the former Grace Quilt Millenary designing hats and appeared on KDKA television with her creations.

Mrs. Pontera and her husband owned and operated the former Friendly Tavern in Farrell. Along with others, she organized the PTA at the former St. Adalbert's Parochial Grade School, Farrell. Mrs. Pontera was a former member of the Daughters of Italy of the Shenango Valley, Eleanor Duse Lodge # 1516.

Leah will be remembered for her love of cooking and sewing and making special memories around the kitchen table for her family and friends. Leah devoted her life to her family. She was a beautiful person inside and out with a strong faith in God. She lived her life sharing her faith and goodness. Through years of laughter and tears, she inspired us and wrote on our hearts with her kindness, compassion, wisdom, generosity, forgiveness and enduring love. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Her husband, Samuel Anthony Pontera, whom she married Oct. 3, 1935 in the former St. Anthony DePadua Church in Farrell, passed away June 22, 1971.

Surviving are: two daughters, Mary Ann Kollar and her husband Dr. James G. Kollar, Hermitage; and Corinne Schultz and her husband Scott, Farrell; a son, Frank S. Pontera and his wife Mary Jo, Sharpsville; ten grandchildren, Mary Frances Hill, Corrine Kollar-Furey, Sam Pontera, James J. Kollar, Lisa Molinaro, Jeff Kollar, Stephen Pontera, Lynn Alexander, Sean Pontera and Scott Schultz; 16 great grandchildren; and 2 great-great grandchildren.

Besides her parents and husband, Leah was preceded in death by three sisters, Rosalie Scardina, Vincenza Scardina and Jennie DeCello; and two brothers, John Scardina and Phillip Scardina.

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to National MS Society, PO Box 4527, New York, NY 10163; Alzheimer's Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Floor 17, Chicago, IL 60601-7633; St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105; or Our Lady of Fatima-St. Ann's Church 601 Roemer Blvd., Farrell, PA 16121.

Calling hours will be from 4-7 p.m. Wednesday (3-11-09) in the J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 1090 E. State St., Sharon.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday (3-12-09) in Our Lady of Fatima-St. Ann's Church, Farrell, with the Rev. Donald E. Berdis, pastor, as celebrant.

Interment: St. Anthony's Cemetery, Hermitage.