Mrs. McHale was the daughter of two local Italian restraunteurs, Bill and Mabel Ciccotti. As a child she lived in a house built on the grounds of what was to become Nay Aug Park. She graduated from Scranton Technical High School. Her sport was diving. She won many awards and trophies for her alma mater. She was very proud of that distinction and took her last dive at 80; still concerned about her form. Mr. & Mrs. McHale met post high school at the Jermyn Drug Store as employees. As the story goes Marie Ciccotti took one look at Jim McHale and knew that was the man she was going to marry. Marie’s husband and brother Angelo later formed a partnership well known as Ciccotti & McHale’s Jewelry store.

    Mrs. McHale inherited her parent’s talent for extraordinary Italian cuisine. She was a homemaker of a by gone era. Ironing a starched shirt to perfection, making a delicious apple pie from scratch or transforming yeast into dough for Pizza Margarita on Friday nights. Marie was not a person who cared for clothes or cash. She was kind and compassionate especially to the ill or infirm. She loved to grocery shop and went every day.

    Rest in Bliss, Mother. Your children, your grandchildren, your great grandchildren.

    Marie McHale a very pretty young woman, whose resemblance to Olivia DeHaviland was noted in print by the columnist Chic Feldman, brought three children into this world; James T. McHale II, Marie Diane McHale and Kathleen Vivian. Mrs. McHale had a baby brother Billy who was 21 years younger than she. He is a resident of Reno, Nevada. He really considered his sister to be his mother for the key role she played in his upbringing.

    A Memorial Mass will be held Thursday at 10 a.m. in the Nativity of Our Lord Church, 633 Orchard Street. Inurnment Cathedral Cemetery, Scranton.

    There will be no public calling hours, those attending Mass are asked to go directly to the church.