Mary Margaret Abrashoff, 102, passed away Saturday. She was born in Altoona, daughter of James J. and Elizabeth (Canole) McFadden, who preceded her in death along with her brother, James J. McFadden.
Mary graduated from Altoona Senior High School in 1940. She then enrolled in the Indiana State Teacher’s College to become a business teacher. In 1942, she took a leave from college and worked the night shift as a switch operator at Slope Tower in Altoona. She was also part of a group of women who worked on the railroad during World War II. Once the war ended, she went back to Indiana and completed her bachelor’s degree in education. Her first teaching job was at Gallitzin High School. She later taught at Bellwood High School, and finished her teaching career at Altoona Area School District, where she began in June 1986 and taught for 30 years. She was one of the first computer teachers in the Altoona Area School District.
She married the love of her life, Donald Abrashoff, on Nov. 25, 1948, at Our Lady Lourdes Catholic Church. They were married for 55 years before his passing on May 12, 2003.
They had seven children: Mary Parsons (Bill), Anne Kowatch (Paul), Connie Bentzen (Craig), Donna Schutte (Richard), Margaret Swoboda (Douglas), Michael Abrashoff and Daniel Abrashoff (Audrey).
She was a loving grandmother to 13 grandchildren: Christopher Parsons (Tera), Matthew Parsons (Claire), Benjamin Kowatch (Jessica), Alexandra Kowatch, Craig Bentzen (Stephanie), Catherine Bentzen, Ryan Schutte (Soleil), Marissa Schutte, Abbie Swoboda Canale (Salvatore), Douglas
Swoboda, Alexander Abrashoff, Samuel Abrashoff and Riley Abrashoff; and 11 great-grandchildren: Josephine, Juliette and Violet Parsons; Emilia and Adelaide Parsons, Caroline and Meredith Kowatch, Thorvald Bentzen, Selene Schutte, Amelia and Maximillian Canale.
Mary was an 80-year member of the Altoona Story League. She was a former secretary of the Horseshoe Seniors and Golden Nuggets Dance clubs. She was also a member of the Blair County Chapter of the PA Association of the School Retirees and the AAHS Alumni Association. She was a charter member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church and a member of the Christian Mothers Club.
Following her husband’s death, she moved to State College in 2008 to be closer to family. She became a member of the Ferguson Township Garden Club, the Centre Pieces Quilt Guild, served on the hospitality committee for the Westway Gardens Condo Association and was a member of Victory Sports. She was also a member of Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church and the Catholic Daughters of America.
Her hobbies included writing daily emails to her friends and family, riding her bike, gardening and getting a coffee and scone at Good Day Cafe.
Mary lived a wonderful life in her super senior years. The family would like to thank her caregivers: Linda, Flora, Happy, Selena, Susan, Kathy and Martha.
Friends will be received from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 31, 2024, at Koch Funeral Home, 2401 S. Atherton St., State College, Pa 16801.
A burial Mass will be held at 9 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024, at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, State College. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery, Garden of Angels Mausoleum, 2417 Pleasant Valley Blvd., Altoona.
In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to State College Area Meals on Wheels, P.O. Box 1235, State College, PA 16804; or Ferguson Township Garden Club, Attn: Rosalie Bloom-Brooks, 812 W. Beaver Ave., State College, Pa 16801.
kochfuneralhome.com