Debra J. Scala

Debra J. Scala, age 63, of Mifflinville, died at 6:33 p.m. Monday, Jan. 19, 2015 at the Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, where she had been a patient for two days. Her death followed an illness of many years.

Born on Oct. 2, 1951 in Newburgh, New York, she was a daughter of the late Joseph and Lucy (Guariglia) Tallarico. She resided in Mifflinville since 2007, and previously lived in St. Petersburg, FL for five years, and in Mifflinville and Newburgh prior to that. She was a 1969 graduate of the Newburgh Free Academy.

Debra was employed at the Meadows at Maria Joseph Manor in Danville since 2008. Earlier she worked with her late husband in his accounting practice.

She was a member of St. Columba Catholic Church, Bloomsburg, where she was a member of the adult choir.

Debra enjoyed reading and cooking, and was a loving mother, grandmother and sister.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Sebastian Scala, Sr. on Nov. 22, 2006.

Surviving are five children: Deanna J., wife of Jeffrey McKinnon, Bloomsburg; Douglas P. Drennen, wife Tanya, Lewisburg; Joseph Sebastian Scala, Jr., wife Dara, Mifflinville; Lynn Marie, wife of Kevin Wurster, Newburgh, N.Y.; Kristen Ann, wife of J. Jefferson Smith, Morrisville, N.C.; seven grandchildren: Kyra J. McKinnon, Connor McKinnon, Derek Drennen, Nicholas Yozzo, Meghan Wurster, Thomas Smith and Madalyn Smith; two sisters: Karen, wife of Alexander Grassi, Colleyville, Tex.; Lou Ann, wife of Jeffrey Stoddard, Montgomery, N.Y.; and a number of nieces and nephews.

A con-celebrated Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday at 11 a.m. in St. Columba Catholic Church, 342 Iron Street, Bloomsburg, by Msgr. Robert E. Lawrence, and her brother-in-law, Rev. Thomas A. Scala. Entombment in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Newburgh, N.Y. on Saturday at 12 noon.

Viewing will be on Thursday from 6-8 p.m. in the Dean W. Kriner, Inc. Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 325 Market Street, Bloomsburg. Wake services will be held at 6 p.m.