"So sorry to read of Philomena's passing. She meant a great deal to me and I loved her no nonsense way about her. I worked with her at Madison Bank. I will always treasure our friendship."
In loving memory of
Philomena M. Sciarra
November 21, 1923 - January 20, 2018
Ms. Philomena Sciarra of Fort Washington passed away peacefully at her home on Saturday, January 20, 2018 surrounded by family.
She was born in Norristown in 1923 of Italian immigrant parents. She was a typist at Metropolitan Insurance Company in Norristown after high school and active in the USO during WW2.
Ms. Sciarra had a remarkable life.
Among her activities, Ms. Sciarra was a Girl Scout leader in Ambler for seven years. She was also a member of the Ladies Guild and was a third order Dominican. In later years, she joined the Board of Directors at Hedwig House in Norristown. Her other activities included playing the guitar, singing and playing the violin and piano. She tutored second grade students at Madison Avenue elementary school as a volunteer in literary arts after retirement. She held a ham radio license and a National Rifle Association certificate. She learned to fly a plane and had an elementary pilots license. She loved cryptograms and mystery novels.
She adored travel and organized many trips for her Girl Scouts, including West Point, Williamsburg and New York. In her later years, she traveled extensively, visiting her uncle and aunt in Sessano, Italy among her other trips to Greece, Europe and Canada as well as Portugal and Mexico. She loved visiting San Francisco and Boston as well as joining her son and his family in Ocean City for frequent weekends.
Ms. Sciarra was dedicated to education. She earned a BA from Gwynedd Mercy College and was employed by the Archdiocese as an elementary school teacher for ten years until she received her Masters degree in Library Science from Villanova University and went on to develop the school library at St. Luke's School in Glenside, PA. where she worked as the librarian for another eight years. After retirement, she became a Real Estate salesperson for Century 21 and then a bookkeeper at Madison Bank both in Blue Bell.
Throughout her lifetime, Ms. Sciarra exhibited strong leadership qualities and love for learning. She leaves five children, Elizabeth Powell, (John), Joan Grawe, Antonio Rocchino, David Rocchino (Elisa)and Natalie Rocchino as well as twelve grandchildren and two great grandchildren who shall miss her dearly.
Services will be held on Friday February 2nd, 2018, at Saint Alphonsus Church 1565 Temple Drive Maple Glen, PA beginning with reception with the family at 9:30 AM, followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:30 AM.
Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, donation may be made to Friends of the Upper Dublin library in Fort Washington. Go to https://upperdublinlibrary.org/donate/
Tributes
"Philomena sold us our first home in Flourtown back in 1984. We will always remember her as being very kind and caring. She went above and beyond and took a personal interest to allow us the opportunity to close on that home and we will always be grateful to her. We are very sorry for your loss. Mike and Cheryl Hetherington "
"I still cannot believe Mom is gone. If there is a heaven and a God may she rest there forever. Grief is funny. It doesn't hit you until afterwards. I wanted to call her today but I can't. Thankfully she had an amazing life."
"Aunt Phil was such a remarkable woman. I always loved visiting her house, full of family, and delicious food cooking. So many of my childhood memories include Aunt Phil and her children. With everything she stayed busy with, it was so nice that she remembered our birthdays with a card (and that dollar bill!). With love to the family, Mariann (Sciarra) Berkheimer"
"To the family of Miss Philomena, I wanted to extend my condolences on her passing! I was one of the teachers that she worked with at Mattison Avenue Schoo...and also at Lower Gwynedd Elementary School! She was wonderful with the kids and I enjoyed my conversations with her! I have to say that after reading all about her life, I am truly amazed at all of the things that she accomplished! Wow! Truly an amazing person! I am so happy that she shared part of her life with us at Mattison Avenue! We were truly blessed! Sincerely, Kathy Johnson"