Emma Alger, 88, a resident of Monaca since 1957, passed away on Saturday, February 16, 2019 while under the compassionate care of the staff at Good Samaritan Hospice, Beaver. She was born November 29, 1930 in Pittsburgh, daughter of the late Frederick and Julianna ( Zelenak) Sill. Emma graduated from Taylor Allderdice High School, Class of 1948. For a number of years, she was an Executive Secretary for the Joint Apprenticeship Program of IBEW 712. Emma eventually found a rewarding position in retails sales. For twenty years she enjoyed helping parents find the perfect outfit for their kids in the Children’s Department of Joseph Horne Company, which then transitioned to Lazarus and eventually Macy’s. Emma Alger, 88, a resident of Monaca since 1957, passed away on Saturday, February 16, 2019 while under the compassionate care of the staff at Good Samaritan Hospice, Beaver. She was born November 29, 1930 in Pittsburgh, daughter of the late Frederick and Julianna ( Zelenak) Sill. Emma graduated from Taylor Allderdice High School, Class of 1948. For a number of years, she was an Executive Secretary for the Joint Apprenticeship Program of IBEW 712. Emma eventually found a rewarding position in retails sales. For twenty years she enjoyed helping parents find the perfect outfit for their kids in the Children’s Department of Joseph Horne Company, which then transitioned to Lazarus and eventually Macy’s. Emma also had a passion for volunteer service. She served as a Hostess in the former Rochester General Hospital Gift Shop. She has been a member of the First Presbyterian Church, Monaca since 1967. It is there Emma fostered many faithful relationships participating in the Junior and Senior Circles.
Whenever she baked pies for the church bake sales, her pies sold before ever getting to the table.
Her pastimes reflect a variety of interests and they include dancing to the music of the Big Bands, playing Bingo, roller skating at Melody Lane in Hookstown and an occasional trip to the Rivers Casino, Atlantic City or Las Vegas. Her Hard Tack candy recipe was second to none. Every holiday season, with the help of her daughter Melissa, they would fill countless orders for her delicious treats.
She was a sports enthusiast and a competitive bowler. Through the years, Emma bowled and served as League Secretary on a number of Bowling Leagues: Monaca Turners, Monacaetts Bowling League, the IBEW 712 League, and the Astronauts League. Her competitive traveling team was affiliated with the Pennsylvania Women’s Bowling Association. Emma was an avid fan of the Pittsburgh Penquins. Radio color commentator Mike Lang had her sitting on the edge of her seat as he called the fast and furious action, often quipping, “Get in the fast lane grandma, the bingo game is ready to roll”. But at any opportunity to attend a Pens game Emma was excited to go.
In addition to her parents, Emma was preceded in death by her brother: Robert Andrew Geresti; and her sister: Erma Elizabeth Walker.
Emma is survived by her loving daughter and son-in-law: Melissa A. (John) Feragotti, Rochester; three grandchildren she absolutely adored and was so very proud of their professional accomplishments: Ronald Dean (Sara Kovacic) Feragotti, retired USAF, Orlando, FL; Robert Daniel Feragotti, Licensed Professional Counselor, Pittsburgh; and Christina Marie (Nick Columbe) Feragotti, Public School Administrator, Center Township. Also surviving Emma, two of her most special and dear friends: Dolores Devault and Sylvia Delebosich; and her former spouse: Ronald D.
Friends will be received on Wednesday, February 20, 2019 from 1 to 3 p.m. and 5 to 7 p.m. at the SAUL-GABAUER FUNERAL HOME, INC., 273 Route 68, Rochester (adjacent to Sylvania Hills Memorial Park Mausoleum). A funeral service to remember, honor and celebrate her life will be held at 7 p.m., immediately following the visitation. Private interment will be in Sylvania Hills Memorial Park.
If desired, memorial contributions in loving memory of Emma may be directed to LIFE Beaver, 131 Pleasant Drive, Suite 1, Aliquippa, PA 15001. On line condolences may be offered at www.saul-gabauer.com
The family wishes to express special thanks to the staff of Good Samaritan Hospice, Beaver and to the staff of LIFE Beaver for their kind and compassionate care. To further celebrate her life, everyone attending is encouraged to wear something supporting the Pittsburgh Penguins.
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