Anne M. (Magera) Rishe, age 98, a resident of her home in Bloomsburg since 1950, died on Saturday afternoon, August 30, 2014 under the care of Geisinger Columbia Montour Home Hospice at Maria Hall in Danville
Anne was born on Wednesday, July 12, 1916 in Mocanaqua, Pennsylvania, a daughter of the late Jacob and Mary (Matusek) Magera. She graduated from Shickshinny High School in 1934 and graduated from the former Bloomsburg State Teachers College with a degree in Elementary Education. She taught in the Mocanaqua school system for nine years before World War II took her to Washington D.C. where she worked for the Signal Corps of the War Department decoding messages. Anne earned her Library Science Degree from Marywood University in Scranton.
On April 22, 1946, Anne married her loving husband, Donald N. Rishe, of Bloomsburg. She taught and worked as an elementary school teacher and librarian within the Central Columbia Elementary Schools until her retirement in 1981. After retiring in 1981, Anne loved traveling with her husband, visiting Europe, Australia, China and all 50 states.
Anne volunteered at both the Bloomsburg Hospital and the Bloomsburg Public Library. She was also a member of the advisory board for the Columbia County Area Agency on Aging. Throughout her life, she also belonged as a member of the Catholic Daughters, Beta Sigma Phi, Friends of the Library and the Bloomsburg Hospital Auxiliary. Anne was a member of the St. Columba Catholic Parish in Bloomsburg for 68 years.
In addition to her parents, Anne was preceded in death by two brothers: John Magera and Steven Magera.
Survivors include her beloved husband of 68 years, Donald N. Rishe, of Bloomsburg; five children: Donald N. Rishe II and wife, Rebecca, of Houston, TX;
Richard J. Rishe and wife, Janice, of Nescopeck; Suzanne Huff and husband, David, of Nags Head, NC; Maryruth Wagner and husband, Albert, of Bloomsburg; and Judith Hart and husband, William, of Fairfield, OH; eight grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren, and also by two sisters: Helen Clement of Bethlehem; and Marie Beezup of Honesdale.
A time of Visitation for family and friends will be held on Thursday evening, September 4 from 5 to 7 p.m. from the Allen Funeral Home, Inc., 745 Market at Eighth Street, Bloomsburg. A Wake service will begin at 6:30 p.m. from the Allen Funeral Home, Inc.
A Mass of Christian Burial will begin on Friday morning, September 5 at 11 a.m. from the St. Columba Catholic Church, 40 E. Third and Iron Streets, Bloomsburg with Monsignor Robert E. Lawrence, celebrant. Graveside committal services will immediately follow in the Creveling Cemetery, Almedia. The Allen Funeral Home, Inc., Bloomsburg is honored to be serving the Rishe family.
Memorial contributions in Anne's name are suggested to: St. Columba Catholic School Library, 40 E. 3rd St., Bloomsburg, PA 17815; the Frank W. Kocher Memorial Park, c/o Columbia County Conservation District, 702 Sawmill Rd, Suite 204
Bloomsburg, PA 17815; or the Geisinger Columbia Montour Home Hospice at Maria Hall, 410 Glenn Ave., Suite 200, Bloomsburg, PA 17815