Flora Essig

Flora Jean (Merti) Essig, Age 89 of Masontown, PA, passed away Monday, November 25, 2019 at Laurel Ridge Center.

Flora was born on Friday, April 4, 1930 in Gallatin, PA to Ettore and Mary (Gennetasio) Merti. In addition to her parents, she is predeceased by her husband, John, her sister Theresa Grenda, brothers, Albert (Dick), Frances (Ed), Orlando (Coog) and Edward (Bob).  She was the last surviving member of her immediate family.

Left to cherish her memory are her son David Essig of Masontown, PA, her Granddaughter Alessia Essig of Dallas, Texas, great-granddaughter London Olivia Essig, daughters-in-law Kim Essig of Uniontown, PA and Vicki Essig of Dallas, Texas, along with many nephews, nieces, sisters-in-law and friends.

Flora graduated from Waynesburg University and shortly after, moved to Cleveland where she worked in the phlebotomy lab of the Cleveland Clinic. Upon her return to Gallatin, PA, she met and married her beloved husband John, and went on to teach many children throughout the years of her long career at Masontown Elementary and All Saints R.C. School, where she taught Spanish classes until its closure. She loved teaching children and would often recount the fond memories she had of her students and remembered nearly everyone she taught. After her retirement, nearly everywhere she went, she would happen upon one of her students and it was such a joy to hear them recount all the fond memories they had of her as their teacher. She left a positive impact on many of her students. She was a life-long member of All Saints R.C. Church, now St. Francis of Assisi in Masontown.

Family and friends will be received at the Terravecchia-Haky Home for Funerals, Inc., 515 N. Main St., Masontown, PA, on Friday November 29, 2019 from 2-7 p.m., and on Saturday November 30, 2019 until 9:30 a.m. when prayers of transfer will be said.

The Funeral Mass will follow at 10 a.m. in St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Masontown PA, with Rev. Father William G. Berkey as celebrant.

Entombment will follow in Sylvan Heights Chapel of Memories Mausoleum, Uniontown, PA.

Those who wish to memorialize Flora, in lieu of flowers, may donate in her name to any animal related charity or to the charity of their choosing.