Obituary of Ellen Rosita Mazzara

Ellen Rosita Orth Mazzara, 72, of State College, Pennsylvania, originally from Paramus, New Jersey died peacefully on September 24, 2021 at the Johnston Smithfield Healthcare Center in Smithfield, North Carolina. Born July 19,1949 in Teaneck, New Jersey, she is predeceased by her parents, George and Bruna Orth of Paramus, and her son Nicholas. She was married 50 years to Colonel Andrew F. Mazzara USMC (Ret) who resides in State College.

Ellen is survived by her husband Andrew at home, and eight of her children including Allison M. Dunphy and her husband Cory of Four Oaks, NC; Brian T. Mazzara and his wife Monika of Brooklyn, NY; Rebecca A. Wakefield of State College; Kristin L. Williams and her husband Jarrod of Clarksville, TN; Joseph N. Mazzara and his wife Jennifer of Houston, TX; Gregory M. Mazzara of State College; Matthew D. Mazzara and his wife Jacqueline of Altoona, and Michael S. Mazzara of Front Royal, VA. Her grandchildren include Benjamin, Thomas, Megan, Nicholas, Catherine, and Andrew Dunphy, Joseph and Jackson Williams, Rowan, Kaya, Vincent, Becket, Francis, Noelle, and Marcellina Mazzara, Sean Wakefield and Nadia Mazzara. Additionally, Ellen is survived by three siblings, Robert Orth and his wife Patricia of McArthur, Ohio; Linda Perez and her husband Luis of Coral Gables, FL; and, John Orth and his wife Teresa of Ocean Grove, NJ.

Ellen was a loving mother to nine, grandmother to 18, and a proud stay-at-home Mom. She was a homeschool teacher for several of her own children for 15 years, and spent almost 30 years as a Marine wife living at 22 different residences including time in both Japan and Germany. She passed away doing what she loved most, being there with and for her grandkids. In addition to five decades as a homemaker, she attended Dayton University, won a county sewing contest as a teenager and was chosen as the 1966 Queen of the Xavier Military Ball at the Astor Hotel in New York City. In Okinawa, Japan, she received the Molly Pitcher Award as a loyal and standout wife of an artilleryman. Ellen was also a woman of faith, and of grace. She was a Benedictine Oblate, and one of the most prolific rosary makers at her church, Our Lady of Victory. A loving, caring friend to many, she was always available to listen to others struggling with issues, facing the challenges of life, or just in need of a ride somewhere.

A viewing will be held at Koch Funeral Home, 2401 South Atherton Street, State College from 3:00pm to 6:00pm on Monday, October 4th. A funeral Mass is to be held at 10:30am on Tuesday, October 5th, at Our Lady of Victory Church, 820 Westerly Parkway, State College, with Father George Jakopac officiating.

Ellen will be interred at the National Cemetery in Quantico, Virginia at a near future date.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers donations in Ellen's name can be made to: The Benedictine Oblates at 300 Fraser Purchase Road, Latrobe, Pennsylvania 15650.