Cecelia Matala

Cecelia Matala, a lifelong resident of Eynon, died Tuesday morning at Mid Valley Health Care Center, Peckville. She was the widow of Anthony Anton Matala, who died Dec. 8, 2002. They were married 64 years until the time of his death.

Born in Eynon, Celia was a daughter of the late Michael and Veronica Stash Chervinak. She celebrated her 100th birthday on Aug. 9 by having an open house party with her family and friends. She was educated in Holy Ghost schools in Olyphant and was employed by Billig Shoe in Peckville before retirement. She was also a member of Christ the King Parish, St. Mary of Czestochowa Church, in Eynon.

Cecelia was a kind, strong and gentle woman, devoted to her family and her God. She loved her garden, quilting, tatting and baking. She will be missed by her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, family and friends.

Surviving are a son, Anthony and companion, Joanne Wren, Hummelstown; a daughter, Patricia, Eynon; grandchildren, Stacey and husband, Robert Armstrong, Mechanicsburg; and Anthony and wife, Sharon Matala, Carlisle; five great-grandchildren, Anton, Ava and Cooper Matala; Lauren and Benjamin Armstrong, who she adored. She is also survived by a daughter-in–law, Kay Matala, Washington, and grandchildren, Christopher, Andrew, Kathryn and Andrea; as well as nine great-grandchildren on the West Coast; many loving nieces, nephews and cousins.

Also preceding her in death was her son, James; her siblings, of which she was the last of 10, sisters, Mary Brojack, Helen Surkey, Veronica Tracewski, Anna Matala, Irene Kaliscak and Mildred Orbish; and brothers, Michael, John and Thomas Chervinak.

The funeral will be Monday at 9:30 a.m. from the Louis J. Rapoch Funeral Home, 420 Church St., Archbald, with Mass of Christian Burial at 10 in St. Mary of Czestochowa Church, Main Street, Eynon. Interment in Holy Ghost Cemetery, Blakely. Friends may call one hour before Mass at the funeral home.

Donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, Northeast Region, 63 N. Franklin St., Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701. Condolences: www.RapochFu neralHome.com.