Obituary of Rosemary Margaret Dombroski

Rosemary Margaret Dombroski, 91, of State College, died Sunday, March 5, 2017, at Juniper Village at Brookline. Born July 20, 1925, in Wilkes-Barre, she was the daughter of the late Frank A. and Margaret Rose Hannon Hannagan. On July 14, 1951 she married John A. Dombroski, who preceded her in death on December 8, 1988. She is survived by two children, Gwenn L. Karten and her husband, Richard, of Florence, AZ and Marla D. Smith and her husband, William, of Port Matilda; two grandchildren, Erin Miller and her husband, Steve, of Florence, AZ and Joe Karten of Florence, AZ; two great-grandchildren, Carter and Reagan Miller; sister-in-law, Ann Hannagan; numerous nieces and nephews, many cousins, and friends, all of whom were quite dear to her. In addition to her parents and husband, Rosemary was preceded in death by two brothers, John Hannagan and Frank Hannagan. Rosemary was a 1943 graduate of E.L. Meyers High School and 1947 graduate of Mercy Hospital School of Nursing. While a student nurse, she was a member of the Student Cadet Nurse Corps from 1944-1947. She often spoke of her years working for Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. She also was employed as a nurse at several other hospitals before her second career as a stay at home mother to her two daughters. She had a lifetime love of learning and in 1975, she graduated from Penn State University with a bachelor degree in education. This began her third career as an itinerant teacher for children with hearing impairments in the Centre region. In 1987, she retired and entered a second honeymoon with her husband of many years. After he passed away, she began yet another active life – this time, one of volunteerism. In addition to her Eucharistic minister duties for Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, she frequently visited the hospital, drove for Meals on Wheels, served as an ombudsman for nursing homes in the Centre Region, performed in the Resurrection Choir, and lent a helping hand whenever and wherever she could. She also adored her grandchildren and being a part of their lives. She was privileged to be a Benedictine Oblate associated with St. Vincent Archabbey belonging to the St. Joseph's Deanery of State College with Fr. David OSB as Moderator. Mass will be held on Wednesday, March 8, 2017, at 11:00 am, at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, 820 Westerly Pkwy, State College. The family will receive friends from 10-11 am, one hour prior to the service. Burial will be in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be directed to Smile Train, PO Box 96231, Washington, D.C. 20090, or to a charity of one's choice, in memory of Rosemary Margaret Dombroski. Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College. Online condolences and signing of the guest book may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com