Anna Marrara John

Anna Marrara John, 94, of Kingwood passed away Friday, February 20, at Preston Memorial Hospital.
Born July 5, 1920 in Albright, WV, Anna was the eldest child of the late Domenick Marrara, Sr. and Angelina (Aluise) Marrara. She graduated in 1938 from Kingwood High School, where she played the violin in the school orchestra. In 1940, she graduated from Clarksburg Business College and later moved to Washington, DC, where she worked for the United States Department of the Navy. Always a woman ahead of her time, Anna returned to Kingwood in 1944 to become the owner/operator of the Kingwood Pigley Wigley Supermarket. She later joined her brothers to become their office manager for a number of companies, including D&R Distributors and Marrara Brothers where she continued to work until the present.
Anna was a member and officer through the years of various organizations including the American Legion Auxiliary, KVFD Women's Auxiliary, VFW Women's Auxiliary, Kingwood Civic Club, Preston Homemaker's Club, Preston Country Club, and St. Sebastian's Altar Society. She was a lifelong member of St. Sebastian's Catholic Church in Kingwood, where she volunteered as a Catechist for over 60 years, served on the parish council, was a RCIA sponsor to many, and a member of the choir. Anna was well known in the community for many roles, including heading the annual church spaghetti dinners and as being the eldest dance student at Sally Ann's Dance Studio. A benefactor to numerous organizations, she generously helped those in need, often anonymously.
Anna is survived by three daughters, Eloise Solomon (Jerry Strawderman) of Montersville, Patricia John-Grose (E. Chilton Grose) of Kingwood, and Dolores John (Jay Ambrusico) of Gladesville; one brother, Domenick Marrara, Jr (Sandy Marrara) of Kingwood; seven grandchildren, Tommy Solomon of Annapolis, MD, Shawn Solomon of Morgantown, Sharron McHugh of Chester, NJ, Nathaniel John-Grose of New York, NY, Anna JohnGrose Weeks of Parkton, MD, Gabriella and Thomas Ambrusico of Gladesville; and five great-grandchildren; two sisters-in-law, Marguerite Marrara of Kingwood and Mary Lou Marrara of Arthurdale and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 49 years, Thomas A. John, on June 16, 1994; and four siblings, Rocco Marrara, Joseph Marrara, Frances Shepherd, and Robert Marrara.

Friends may call at the Rotruck-Lobb Kingwood Chapel On Monday, February 23, 2015 from 2-4 and 6- 9p.m. A Vigil service will be conducted in the funeral home at 8:30 p.m. followed by the recitation of the Rosary.
A Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, February 24, 2015 at 11:00a.m.at St. Sebastian Catholic Church in Kingwood with the Rev. Father Andrew Switzer and the Rev. Father Mark Ward as co-celebrants. Burial will follow in St. Joseph's Cemetery in Howesville.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to charities dear to Anna's heart, the Raymond Wolfe Food Pantry, 134 S. Price Street, Kingwood, WV or St. Sebastian Church, 322 East Main Street, Kingwood, WV 26537.
Personal Condolences may be offered to the family online at: www.rotruck-lobb.com

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