Gladys Mazar

Heaven became a little nicer on January 4, 2021 when Gladys Mazar was called home to the Lord.  She died at Schuylkill Center Nursing Home, Pottsville.  She had been a resident of Providence Place since 2019.  She and her husband John lived in Middleport until the state took their home to rebuild Route 209.  It was then that they built a house in Barnesville.

Gladys was born in Middleport, PA on July 2, 1918, the daughter of Harry J. and Caroline (Kohlmeir) John.  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by sisters Mary John Hendricks, Ruth John Basler and infant Priscilla John. She was the last member of her immediate family.

She was the widow of John A. Mazar who died December 7, 1983.  He and Gladys were married in 1944 when John had a three day leave from the U.S. Army Air Corps.

Gladys graduated from Blythe Township HS and earned a Bachelor Degree in Early Childhood Education from Kutztown State Teachers College.

Her first job was part of President F.D Roosevelt’s Work Progress Administration (WPA).  Teachers were hired to go into the homes of immigrants to teach the history of America so they could become citizens.

When WWII broke out, this gave women a chance to get a teaching job even if married.  Male teachers enlisted in the Armed Forces or left teaching to work in weapons, munitions or other war plants where the pay was better.  One of Gladys’ first teaching positions was in a one-room school house in the country.

Gladys started teaching in the Middleport Public School in 1939 and taught there until its closure.  She then taught in the St. Clair Elementary School until her retirement in 1972.

Gladys was an example of what a great teacher should be.  She was intelligent, compassionate and caring.  She brought out the best in her students.  She was deeply loved by them and many kept in touch with cards and letters over the years.

Gladys enjoyed working with children and at one time was a Girl Scout leader with an Intermediate Group and a Brownie Group in Middleport.

Gladys had many hobbies.  Among them were reading, gardening, bird watching and shopping.  She enjoyed reading mostly historical fiction.  She had a vegetable garden of tomatoes, cucumbers, and dill and a beautiful flower garden.  She continued gardening until her late 90’s.  She loved watching the birds that came to her garden and to the birdfeeders in her yard.  While shopping, she always found something new to add to her extensive wardrobe.

Gladys always enjoyed being with family and friends and eating out at restaurants in the area.  One of her favorite places was the Top of the 80’s in Hazelton.

Gladys was a lifelong member of St. Bartholomew’s Roman Catholic Church until it closed and now is a member of Holy Cross in New Philadelphia.

She is survived by her niece Joan Hendricks DeStefano, Barnegat, NJ; grandniece Maribeth Mullen, New Hope, PA and grandnephew John DeStefano, Montville, NJ.

Her husband’s nieces and nephews are Lynn Wunz, Lewisburg PA; Thomas Trotman, Chester Springs, PA; Violet Ciekawy, Media, PA and Theresa Aronson, Media PA.

Gladys was truly a gem and was granted a long life to spread her “light” – (That rare quality to be able to make situations and people’s lives brighter and happier across the decades).

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated Friday July 2, 2021 at 10:00AM from Holy Cross Roman Catholic Church, 99 Valley Street, New Philadelphia 17959.  Msgr. William Glosser will be officiating.   In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Holy Cross Memorial Fund at the above address.  Interment was previously held at St. Bartholomew Cemetery, Brockton.  Bruce T. Hart Funeral Home, St. Clair, is in charge of arrangements. Condolences can be sent to http://www.brucethartfuneralhome.com