Marion Joseph Harkema – Monessen
Marion Joseph Harkema, 98, passed away on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023, in her home, surrounded by family. She was born Aug 2, 1924, in Monessen, daughter of the late Nick and Rose Abraham Joseph. She was a lifelong, devoted member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Monessen, where she served as financial secretary, Sunday school teacher, unofficial church historian and volunteer in many church activities/ministries including social ministry, WELCA, St. Afterschool and making candy Easter eggs with the “church ladies.” She loved her Bible devotions, being a prayer warrior and telling others about her faith in Jesus. She volunteered for Meals on Wheels, Westmoreland County Food Bank and United Cerebral Palsy. She loved hand quilting, crocheting and cooking Syrian meals for family gatherings. A 1942 graduate of Monessen High School and a 1945 graduate of Passavant School of Nursing, she worked in surgical and bedside nursing at VA Hospital Aspinwall, and Charleroi-Monessen Hospital and retired as an industrial nurse from Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel. Surviving are her son, Elmer Harkema and companion Regina McGowan of Pittsburgh; daughter, Rebecca and husband Vince Abromitis of North Huntingdon; grandchildren, Elyse (Harkema) and Dan Kamen and Erich Harkema and companion, Maxine Erdman; and great-grandsons, Elijah and Ezra Kamen. Also surviving are numerous nieces and nephews. Preceding her in death were her husband of 64 years, Pearson in 2016; brothers, Al, John (Gloria) and Nick (Dorrie); and sister, Lillian; nephew, Jon Joseph; niece, Barbara Weinstock; and daughter-in-law, Erica Harkema. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to RHOME FUNERAL HOME INC., 1209 Grand Blvd., Monessen, where friends will be welcomed from 1 to 3 and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church of Monessen. Burial will follow at Mon Valley Memorial Park in Donora. Online condolences may be conveyed at www.rhomefuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to St Paul’s Lutheran Church of Monessen.
