Obituary of Mary Ann O'Hara

Mrs. Mary Ann O’Hara (nee Leonard) died peacefully in State College on June 15, 2015 in State College at the age of 86. Mary Ann is survived by sister Eileen Ahl of Shingle House and brother John R. Leonard Jr. of North Charleston, SC. She also leaves behind her children Christopher E. O’Hara and wife Julia of Clifton Park, NY, Eileen O’Hara and husband Charles Biddle of Pittsburgh and Jackie O’Hara of Kill Devil Hills, NC. She was graced with 2 grandchildren, Sergio Abeijon of New York, NY and Christopher R. O’Hara of Denver, CO. Mary Ann was born on the family farm March 12 1929 in Rock Lake PA. to John R. Leonard and Sarah O’Neill Leonard. She graduated from Pleasant Mount Vocational School in 1946 and went on to complete her education in business administration at the Wayne Commercial School in Honesdale. She became a secretary for the Pennsylvania Fish Commission in Pleasant Mount PA. On November 20, 1954 she married Edward C. O’Hara and they settled in Pleasant Mount. When the opportunity came to relocate to the Fish Commission hatchery in Pleasant Gap, they moved to the State College area. Mary Ann became a Penn State employee, first in Sparks Building and then as secretary at the Nittany Lion Inn. Her husband tragically passed away in 1971 after a brief illness, but her faith, will, and close network of friends gave her resolve to provide strong foundations for her children to succeed. She retired in 1992 and remained active with the Penn State Catholic Community. Mary Ann was a loving mother and valiant friend who always thought of others. She will remain in the hearts and thoughts of all she encountered. The family will greet friends on Thursday June 18, 2015 from 6 to 7:45 p.m. at Koch Funeral Home, 2401 South Atherton Street, State College. A prayer service will follow at 7:45 p.m. at the funeral home. There will also be a visitation at Hessling Funeral Home in Honesdale on Friday June 19, 2015 from 5 to 8 p.m. All are welcome to attend the funeral service and burial at St. Julianna’s Catholic Church in Rock Lake, on Saturday June 20, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. A reception will follow at the Red Schoolhouse in Pleasant Mount. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Paterno Catholic Student Faith Center at 117 E. Park Street, State College PA, 16803 or Special Olympics Pennsylvania at 2570 Blvd of the Generals, Suite 124, Norristown PA, 19403. The family would like to thank staff of Juniper Village at Brookline and Centre Crossings Hospice for their kind efforts. Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College. Online condolences and signing of the guest book may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com.