Barbara “Bertha” Ignatz Maskara
Barbara “Bertha” Ignatz Maskara, 86, beloved wife of the late Michael Maskara passed away on December 12, 2006, in Monongahela Valley Hospital, Monongahela, Pa.
Also predeceasing her were her parents Michael and Barbara Rudo Ignatz, and two brothers, Michael Ignatz and John Ignatz.
Left to cherish her loving memory are her daughter, Marleen Porter and her husband, Charles Porter of Brownsville, Pa., with whom she made her home for many years.
Also surviving are four nieces, two nephews, six godchildren and numerous cousins.
She was devoted to her family, her faith and a long work career. During the late 1930’s, she resided in Manhattan where she was a nanny for the children of Julian Funt, a scriptwriter for radio broadcasting who later wrote “Guiding Light” for television. She joined many of her generation who selflessly dedicated themselves to the World War II effort. From 1943 to 1945, she was employed by General Motors Eastern Aircraft, in Linden, N.J., where women tirelessly manufactured Grumman Wild Cat F4F sea based fighter planes for the United States Navy and Marines for the war in the Pacific Theatre. After the war ended, she returned to Brownsville where she worked at GC Murphy Company and subsequently at the Park and Tilford Distillery. She retired from Brownsville General Hospital after thirty years of service as a housekeeper. She was a member of Saint Nicholas Byzantine Catholic Church of Brownsville, Pa.
Friends will be received in the SKIRPAN FUNERAL HOME, 135 Park Street Brownsville, Pa., on Friday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 9 p.m., where a Panachida Service will be held on Saturday at 9:30 a.m., followed by Divine Liturgy at 10 a.m., in Saint Nicholas Byzantine Catholic Church, Brownsville, Pa., with the Rev. Father Jerome Botsko as Celebrant.
Interment will follow in the LaFayette Memorial Park.
A Parastas Service will be held on Friday at 7 p.m.