Mary Anne Patricia Gliha

Mary Anne Patricia Gliha, 83, of Forest City, joined her loving husband in eternal rest on Thursday February 29th at the Forest City Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.  Her husband, Frank J. Gliha, passed away on August 16, 2021.

Born in Carbondale, daughter of the late John and Mary Risboskin Drop, she was one of six children.  She was a member of Saint Joseph’s Church, Ascension Parish, Forest City.  Mary Anne first attended Richmondale School, later graduating from Fell Township School, Simpson, where she was an avid basketball player.  After graduation, Mary Anne was employed by the Ames Shower Curtain Company, the J&C Drive-In, both of Forest City.  She was later employed by Machek Fuel Sales, Forest City, until her retirement.  Mary Anne met her husband Frank when she was walking home from church with her mother and he stopped to offer them a ride home.  After arriving at their home, Frank asked Mrs. Drop if he could take Mary Anne out on a date.  Mary Anne’s mother told Frank that he needed to ask Mr. Drop, Mary Anne’s father.  The answer was a definite yes.  The couple married on April 23, 1960.

Mary Anne was very active in her community and was always alongside Frank wherever he went. She was a member and former Treasurer of the Forest City Fire Department, delegate and credentials committeewoman for the Northeastern Pennsylvania Volunteer Firemen’s Federation, and life member and former secretary of the Ladies Auxiliary Keystone State Fire Chiefs Association.  Mary Anne and her husband shared a joint love of trapshooting, having traveled over a wide area to participate in trapshooting events, where Mary Anne would often beat Frank’s score.  She was a helper and scorer for the monthly trap shoots at the Browndale Sportsmen Club, where she was honored by the organization with their Appreciation Award for 25 years of service.  She was also a member of Ducks Unlimited and a committee member for the Swegel/Tedesco Family Reunions.  She was a 12 gallon plus blood donor for the American Red Cross, and she served as an inspector of elections in Forest City Borough.  Mary Anne enjoyed listening to polkas, whether it be attending a Bill Flynn event or when Jude’s Polkas would come to entertain at the nursing home.
Mary Anne was affectionately known as Grandma Louie or Lulu by her grandchildren, and as Great Auntie M by her nieces and nephews.

Surviving are four children: Terry Solomon and husband Matt, Prompton; Mary Ann Striefsky and husband Patrick, Forest City; Susan Stalker and companion Dennis Hill, Scranton; and Joseph Gliha, Forest City; six grandchildren: Justine Burrell and husband Andrew, Prompton; Sara Wasylyk and husband Josh, Waymart; Craig Striefsky and fiancée Jessica Obelkevich, Vandling; Loren Gliha, Arlington, TX; Elizabeth MacDougall and husband Travis, Hawley; and Madison Stalker, Scranton; four great grandchildren: Bradley Stalker, and Jase Burrell; Layla Coccia; Connor MacDougall, a brother: Michael Drop and wife Kathleen, Vandling; a sister: Rita Witiak, Forest City; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was also preceded in death by three brothers: Frank “Frankie”, Joseph “Chappie” and John “Cookie” Drop.

The family would like to thank Dr. David Tomazic and the nurses and staff at Forest City Nursing and Rehabilitation for the excellent and compassionate care given to Mary Anne.  The family would like to thank the named staff for going above and beyond and giving exceptional care: Jackie, Sarah V, Deb, Suzanne, Patty, Angela, Margaret, Missy, Forrest, Misty, Kamara, Paige, Sarah G., Michele H., Megan, Crystal, and Renee; the therapy department: Rob, Chris, Jenna, Teri, and Lori; activities: Jennifer, Kathy, and Jackie; housekeeping: Amy.

The funeral will be Tuesday March 5th with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 am in St. Joseph’s Church, Delaware St., Forest City.  Interment will follow in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Forest City.  Friends may call on Monday, from 4 to 7 pm at the Jones & Brennan Funeral Home, 430 Main Street, Forest City, and on Tuesday morning at the church from 9:30 am until mass time.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Forest City Emergency Services, 380 Railroad Street, Forest City, PA 18421.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mary Anne Patricia Gliha, please visit our floral store.