Ramona F. Scatchard a/k/a "Mona Moore"

Ramona ("Mona") F. Scatchard (nee Starke) age 97 of Cherry Hill, NJ, formerly of Merchantville and Moorestown, NJ, passed away on April 13, 2023. Beloved mother of Michael M. Moore, DC and Stephen D. Moore, Esq., (Teresita V. Q. Moore, C.S.R., daughter-in-law). Proud grandmother of Stephen D. Moore, Jr. (Jared Torres Martinez, granddaughter-in-law).

Mona was predeceased by her parents, Russell V. Starke and Marian Gibson, her sons Casey William Moore and Andrew Patrick Moore; her siblings Ruth Starke Rodier, William Starke and Michael Starke, and her husbands Merrill A. Moore, Harold Wege and William Scatchard, Esq.

Born in Hackensack, NJ in 1925, Mona and her siblings moved frequently as their parents sought employment during the Great Depression. Mona married Merrill on July 4,1943, as the fires of World War II raged. Mona then worked as a proofreader at Curtis Publishing in Philadelphia, and watched from her office window as Merrill and hundreds of other young men were sworn into the service on Independence Mall.

After Merrill's return from his service in the South Pacific, Mona and Merrill raised their four sons in Merchantville, New Jersey.

While raising her boys Mona became active in the Merchantville community, and held positions ranging from President of the PTA and President of the Women's Club to Chairwoman of the Merchantville Board of Adjustment. As head of the Zoning Board, Mona successfully fought the efforts of wealthy local developers to construct a residential high rise in the heart of the downtown village. Mona also served as a Deaconess and choir member at the First Presbyterian Church of Merchantville, and as a volunteer host for traveling foreign exchange high school students sponsored by the American Field Service.

Mona was also a dance, theater and sports enthusiast. As a little girl, she arranged her own Shirley Temple inspired song and dance routine to the tune of the Good Ship Lollipop, which she performed with her little sister, Ruthie, onstage before Saturday afternoon movie matinees. They last performed their routine just before the pandemic, as the sisters sang and danced their way, albeit a step slower, down the halls of Mona's assisted living residence. As recently as her 95th birthday, Mona would rise from her chair to "moonwalk" to Michael Jackson, or jitterbug to "In the Mood" with her sons.

Mona directed and acted in Merchantville Playcrafters productions and earned several New Jersey statewide awards, including Best Director, for producing and directing Merchantville Woman's Club dramas and musicals. Mona was an accomplished golfer and tennis player, and was a member of the Merchantville and Tavistock Country Clubs.

Mona also worked at several jobs while raising her family, including stints at Bamberger's, Welcome Wagon and Merrill's insurance office, the Landmore Agency in Collingswood.

Mona enjoyed reading, solving crossword puzzles, and playing Scrabble and bridge. Mona had an insatiable curiosity about other cultures and was fortunate, in her later years, to travel extensively throughout Europe and the Far East.

Mona was passionate about politics, and compassionate for those suffering or in need, regardless of their background. She cherished Americans' right to vote, and served as a Poll Worker in the old Merchantville Public Library for many years. Acting on her convictions, Mona served on the Camden County human relations working group in the 1960s to help bridge and heal racial divisions

Mona will be fondly remembered by all those who knew her for her sense of humor, joie de vivre and generosity of spirit.

Friends and family are invited to attend a celebration of Mona's life, to be held at the Merchantville Community Center at 212 Somerset St. in Merchantville on Tuesday, May 30, 2023 at 12:00 noon. Repast to follow. Please let one of Mona's sons, Mike or Steve Moore, know if you are able to attend.