Rose Lavia

Obituary of Rose LaVia
https://boxcast.tv/view/funeral-mass-for-rose-lavia-january-15-2021-hrf0hsdeoptjoetvv8oa

On January 9, 2021, Rose Marie (Conway) LaVia, 85, departed from this world, the same way she lived her life: surrounded by family. Her three year battle with ALS ended with courage and faith in the promises of Christ.

She leaves behind the legacy of family that she built with the love of her life, Clement LaVia, over 64 years of marriage. She will be dearly missed by her devoted six daughters, AKA "the LaVia girls"; Mary Zimmerman and her late husband, William, Darlene McHugh and husband Patrick, Christine Schindel and husband Samuel, Lorraine LaVia and husband Bruce Mulock, Diane LaVia-Ricci and husband John and Michelle Caicedo and husband Christian; a sister Sheila Laughlin; brother, Richard Conway; sister-in-law, Mary Brown; 14 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Eliza Jane and Clarence Hayes Conway and her first great-grandchild, Robby Hollister.

Rose was born in Curwensville, PA and lived most of her life in Harrisburg, attending Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Grade School and graduated from Harrisburg Catholic High School. She remained active in coordinating class reunions and maintaining friendships that span her lifetime.

She began her working career at the law firm of Rhoads, Sinon and Reeder. After marrying and having her children, she worked from home as a court transcriber before beginning a dedicated career with the Olivetti Corporation. She also worked as a realtor for Brownstone Realty, followed by a position with the Pennsylvania Senate - Official Reporters Office, from where she retired.

Never to find raising six daughters too much, she endlessly sought out ways to include more people in her life; hosting yearly holiday celebrations for family and friends; bringing communion to the sick of her parish of St. Catherine Laboure; volunteering at the county nursing home for Sunday Masses; delivering meals on wheels; joining the Red Hat Society; and coordinating monthly luncheons with school friends.

She was a talented quilter who gifted her loved ones with the most beautiful labors of love that will be treasured forever. But she also quietly made and donated many quilts to those in need. She was happiest when she was spending time with her family, baking with her grandchildren, reading, playing the piano (or teaching her children and grandchildren to play), working at a crossword or Sudoku puzzle, playing Mahjong, and in her last few months when speech was no longer possible, her head was bent for endless hours, as she played WORDS with friends online.

Her family would like to thank the loving caregivers who made is possible for them to keep their mother at home and help care for her during the last three years.

A PRIVATE Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, January 15, 2021, at 11:00 am in St. Catherine Laboure Roman Catholic Church, with the Very Rev. Neil S. Sullivan, as Celebrant. Private burial will be in Resurrection Cemetery. There will be no viewing or visitation. A celebration of life will be held and announced at a later date. Arrangements by Wiedeman Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., Oberlin. The funeral Mass will be webcast https://boxcast.tv/view/funeral-mass-for-rose-lavia-january-15-2021-hrf0hsdeoptjoetvv8oa. A direct link to the mass is also available on www.wiedemanfuneralhome.com. Current COVID-19 Regulations for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will be enforced. Social Distancing and Masks are required.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Catherine Laboure Roman Catholic Church, 4000 Derry Street, Harrisburg, PA 17111.






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