Carmelita E. Roskosh always prayed for world peace and for the good fortune of soldiers in war.
"She was very religious, and she always considered those things top priority," said her son, Thomas L. Roskosh, of Greensburg. "She also prayed during the fall of the Berlin Wall and for the troops in Iraq."
Such devotion also might have helped Mrs. Roskosh's husband of 62 years, Franklin, evade one of the most disastrous ambushes on American soil.
A week before Dec. 7, 1941, when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, U.S. Army Master Sgt. Roskosh was sent back to the mainland to be discharged.
"After that happened, my dad was sent back to Hawaii, and he served in both theaters during World War II," Thomas Roskosh said. "My mom said, 'You pray to God to answer your prayers, and you don't always get what you ask for, but you get what God feels you need.'"
Carmelita Elizabeth (McArdle) Roskosh, of Greensburg, died Tuesday, June 14, 2005, at St. Anne Home, Greensburg. She was 91.
Religion continued to be a big part of Mrs. Roskosh's life after her husband returned from the war. She became a longtime member of Blessed Sacrament Cathedral and the Cathedral Rosary Confraternity, which was founded in 1951.
"She was always a good supporter of our fundraisers years ago, and she was a very active member," said a group official who did not want to be identified. "Carmy was a very lovely person."
Mrs. Roskosh also served as cafeteria cook for some time at the parish's parochial school, where Thomas and his sister, Cheryl A. Roskosh Petrina, of Washington Township, were students.
At age 55, Mrs. Roskosh's general love of knowledge compelled her to take education classes at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and at what was then Seton Hill College. She graduated from Youngwood High School in 1931.
"When my sister went to Duquesne (University), Mom decided to go to college, too, because she wanted to help educate her children," Thomas Roskosh said. "She tried to instill good values with everyone about not only being educated, but sharing knowledge with other individuals. She taught my sister and me a great many things, along with my dad, of course."
Mrs. Roskosh most enjoyed being with her family during the holidays, and she was an avid duplicate bridge player.
"She was a kind and gentle soul," Thomas Roskosh said.
Along with her husband and children, Mrs. Roskosh is survived by two grandchildren, Courtney A. Petrina and Ryan M. Petrina, of Washington Township; a sister, Mary C. Waltz, of Greensburg; and several nieces and nephews.
Friends will be received from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. today at Blessed Sacrament Cathedral, 300 N. Main St., Greensburg, where a funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:30 a.m. Entombment will follow in the Greensburg Catholic Cemetery mausoleum, Hempfield Township.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to St. Anne Home, 685 Angela Drive, Greensburg, PA 15601. Bacha Funeral Home Inc., Greensburg, is in charge of arrangements.
