Viola Marie Klegarth

Viola Marie Klegarth, passed away on January 19, 2024, just a little more than three months shy of her 100th birthday. She was a resident at Phoebe Nursing Home in Allentown.

Viola was born on April 30,1924, in Allentown, PA, to parents Gioachino ”Jack” and Julia (Terani) Bernabucci. She was predeceased by her brothers, William and Baron, and sisters, Margaret, Jean, and Marie. She was the devoted wife of 56 years to her husband, the late Louis S. Klegarth, Sr.

Viola dedicated her life to her family, she was a loving, strong, resilient woman who always made sure family and friends felt welcome. She also was a beloved “second mother “ to countless kids from the Alton Park area.There was always someone’s friend at the lunch or dinner table! Even though Viola never learned to drive a car ~ she’d find a way to her children’s sports, school, and social events or show up when you least expected it, sometimes riding her bike, which she rode well into her 80’s!

Viola was a parishioner of St Ann’s Catholic Church, Emmaus. Her strong religious beliefs sustained her throughout her life.

She made many friends at her job before she married and after at McCrory’s Department Store, and later in life at Staples. She was the treasurer and one of the founders of the Alton Park Youth League Association; which she was very proud of!

Viola “ViVi” will be dearly missed by her children, Rosemarie A. McGeehin and husband, Michael “Mitch”, Stephen Klegarth, Louis S. Klegarth, Jr., Michael J. Klegarth and wife, Sandra, and John M. Klegarth. She had a special place in her heart for her grandchildren, Megan McGeehin Schwartz and husband, Richard, Matthew E. McGeehin and wife Lauren, Amy and Lucas Klegarth, Samantha Klegarth, and Amanda Klegarth-Ford and husband, Michael. Great Grammy Viola loved her great grandchildren, Abby and Lily Schwartz, Brenden McGeehin, Carmella and Finn Hanzlik, and the soon to be a little Miss Ford, as well as her nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.

A visitation will be held on Friday, January 26, 2024, at St. Ann’s Catholic Church, 415 S. 6th St. Emmaus, PA 18049 from 10:00-10:45 a.m. with A Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 11:00 a.m. Following Mass, Viola will be laid to rest at Woodlawn Memorial Park in Allentown.

Memorial contributions may be made to Phoebe Allentown, 1925 Turner St., Allentown, PA 18104.

Condolences may be shared at www.connellfuneral.com.