Mary Jo Mackavage

Mary Jo (Proleika) Mackavage, 89, passed away Sunday, December 4, 2016 at Phoenixville Hospital. Born in Swoyersville, PA, she was the daughter of the late Edward T. and Anna (Guzik) Proleika. Mary Jo graduated from Forty Fort High School Class of 1945 in Forty Fort, PA, and worked as an Assistant Cost Accountant at J.B. Carr Biscuit Company in Wilkes-Barre, PA. There she met her husband, the late Edward S. Mackavage whom she married on Valentine's Day in 1953. They settled in Forty Fort, PA where they raised their family. Following Hurricane Agnes in 1972, she worked for the Federal Emergency Management Agency in Wilkes Barre, PA and was then employed by the State of Pennsylvania, Bureau of Labor and Industry from which she retired in 1990. Throughout her life she was active in her Church and Community. Mary Jo was a Past President of the Christian Mothers of St. Mary's of Czestochowa, Swoyersville, PA where she also led the Youth Ministry Program for six years. In addition, she served as President of Pi Beta Gamma of Wyoming Valley, as well as a Commission Member of the Luzerne County Bureau of Aging. Mary Jo was a member of John Heinz Institute (Allied Services) Auxiliary for 16 years and served as President during that time. She moved to Valley Forge, PA in 1997 and joined St. Ann Parish, Phoenixville, PA. She was an active member of the Phoenixville Hospital Auxiliary and served as its Secretary. Mary Jo was the Auxiliary Christmas Bazaar Chair for 5 years as well as a Gift Box Volunteer and Chairperson. She was also a member of PARSE (Pennsylvania Association of Retired State Employees). She is survived by daughter Terri Ann (Mackavage) Kovalski and husband Raymond J. Kovalski, M.D. of Valley Forge, PA and son Edward S. Mackavage Jr. and wife Danelle (Scaran) Mackavage of Bethlehem, PA. Surviving brothers are Edward T. Proleika, Jr., Forty Fort, PA, husband of the late Bette Proleika and Fred S. Proleika, husband of Shirley Proleika, Forty Fort, PA. She is pre-deceased by her brother, Ronald J. Proleika, husband of Barbara Proleika who resides in Clearwater, FL. In addition, Mary Jo is survived by her grandchildren Joanna Kovalski and husband, Matthew Sakumoto, M.D. of San Diego, CA, Allyson E. Mackavage, J.D. of New York, NY and Edward S. Mackavage III of Bethlehem, PA. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 9:00 A.M. on Wednesday, December 7 at St. Ann Church, Main Street at Third Avenue, Phoenixville, PA. Officiating will be Rev. John J. Newns. A viewing will take place at the Campbell-Ennis-Klotzbach Funeral Home, Inc., Main Street at Fifth Avenue, Phoenixville on Tuesday, December 6 from 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM. Interment with the Rite of Committal will be at 1:00 P.M. on December 7 at St. Mary's Roman Catholic Cemetery, Brook Street, West Wyoming, PA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mary Jo's honor to the Parkinson's Disease Foundation at or to St. Mary's Franciscan Shelter, Phoenixville at .

Mary Jo Mackavage

June 20, 1927 - December 4, 2016