Lydia H. Reed, 89, of 313 Grant Street, St. Marys, passed away Monday evening, March 30, 2015, at St. Clair Hospital in Pittsburgh following a brief illness.
She was born October 30, 1925 in Weedville, daughter of the late Pasquale and Theresa Sica Santo. She was a lifelong resident of the area and was a graduate of Weedville High School, Class of 1943. During WWII, Lydia was employed at the Stackpole Carbon Company. After raising her eight children, she was employed at the Elk County Courthouse, the St. Marys Parochial Elementary School as a teachers’ aide, and later was a personal caregiver at Elk Haven Nursing Home.
On July 5, 1947, in the St. Joseph’s Church in Force, she married Robert R. Reed, who preceded her in death on November 17, 2007.
She is survived by her children, Dr. Charlotte Reed and her husband, Dr. Patrick Zurek of Arlington, MA, Rose Ann Madden and her husband Kenneth of Pittsburgh, Kenneth Reed and his wife Nancy Scartozzi of Glastonbury, CT, Karen Herbstritt and her husband, Dr. Michael Herbstritt of Knoxville, TN, Barbara McAvoy and her husband Michael of Warren, Robert Reed and his wife Sallie of Lockport, NY, Dr. Gregory Reed and his wife Chantal of Pittsburgh, and Dr. Mary DaCanal and her husband Michael of Johnsonburg; 21 grandchildren, Stephanie Zurek, Dr. Olivia Zurek, John Zurek, Thomas Madden, Rebecca Flahery, Robert Madden, Julie Harford, Alexandra Pickel, Victoria DelMastro, Christopher Herbstritt, Matthew Herbstritt, Kathleen Makielski, Mary Lynn McAvoy, Michelle Jukic, Robert McAvoy, John Reed, Caitlin Reed, Corinne Reed, Taylor DaCanal, Hayley DaCanal, and Nate DaCanal; 12 great grandchildren, Jared Madden, Andrew Madden, Troy Madden, Isabella Madden, Maisey Flaherty, Elaine Flaherty, Matthew Madden, Jason Madden, Ella Rose Madden, Francesca DelMastro, Cordina DelMastro, and Makel Piverger; two brothers-in-law, Dr. L. Deno Reed and his wife Monica and G. Richard Reed, both of Washington, DC; many nieces and nephews; and also by many dear friends and neighbors.
In addition to her husband and parents, Lydia was preceded in death by five sisters, Mary Ippolito, Florence Steudler, Minnie Panetta, Josephine Santo, and Rose Werner; and three brothers, Ralph Santo, John Santo, and Angelo “Andy” Santo. She was the last member of her immediate family.
Lydia was a member of the Sacred Heart Parish and the Saint Anne Society. She enjoyed lunches and playing cards with her many dear friends at the St. Marys Senior Center. She was also an avid bridge player.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in the Sacred Heart Church on Monday, April 6, 2015, at 10:00 AM, with the Rev. Eric Vogt, OSB, Pastor, officiating. Burial will follow in the St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Force.
Visitation is at the Lynch-Radkowski Funeral Home on Sunday evening, from 6:00 until 8:00 PM.
Memorials, if desired, may be made to the St. Marys Senior Center, 72 Erie Avenue, St. Marys, PA 15857, or to the Elk County Catholic School System, Advancement Office, 600 Maurus Street, St. Marys, PA 15857.