Mary G. Ancharski ( - 2005)Social activist
Feb. 26, 2005
Mary G. Ancharski, formerly of Hazleton, passed away Saturday evening in Schwenksville at the home of her son, Michael, and daughter-in-law, Jane Ancharski, who had been her caregivers for the past two years.
Born in Hazleton, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Anna (Pfaff) North, and was a lifetime resident of the area.
Mary was a homemaker and a devoted wife and mother.
She was a graduate of St. Gabriel High School, Class of 1942, and was a member of St. Gabriel's Church, where she served as Mass lecturer. She was a past board member of Catholic Social Services.
She was a life-long Democrat and participated in various local Democratic committees. She was the first woman to be elected to the Hazleton School Board, was appointed to the Hazleton Zoning Board and was also a member of the League of Women Voters.
Preceding her in death, in addition to her parents, were her husband, Robert, on May 15, 2003; and a sister, Nancy Hudock.
Surviving are her loving children, Jim Ancharski, and wife, Theresa, Westfield, N.J.; Nancy Ancharski, Keene, N.H.; John Ancharski and wife, Cindy, Pringle; Michael Ancharski and wife, Jane, Schwenksville; Molly Miller and husband, Willie, Wilkes-Barre; and Marie Schmidt and husband, Paul, Landsdale. Nineteen grandchildren and one great-grandson also survive.
The funeral will be held Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. from the Joseph B. Conahan Funeral Home Inc., 532 N. Vine St., Hazleton, with a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Gabriel's Church at 10 a.m. Interment will be in the parish cemetery.
Friends may call Monday evening at the funeral home from 6 to 9 p.m.
Donations in memory of Mary may be made to Jefferson Health System Hospice, 100 Matsonford Road, Radnor, Pa., or the Church of St. Gabriel, 122 S. Wyoming St., Hazleton.
Source: Hazleton Standard-Speaker, Feb. 28, 2005.