Rilla Svirbly 1930-2024
WEST SALEM TOWNSHIP, Pa. — Rilla Svirbly, 94, formerly a longtime resident of Sharon, Pa., passed away Monday morning, Dec. 9, 2024, in her home.
Mrs. Svirbly was born June 28, 1930, in Sharon, a daughter of the late Thomas and Margaret Hether Merat, and was a graduate of Sharpsville High School.
A dedicated homemaker, Rilla was highly involved in her children’s lives and education. She was a member of the PTO at the former Sacred Heart and St. Anthony’s Parochial Grade School. Rilla even taught gym class at St. Anthony’s.
A devout Catholic, Rilla was a member of St. Michael’s Church, Greenville, Pa., where she belonged to the Young at Heart group. Previously, she belonged to the former Sacred Heart Church and St. Anthony Church, both in Sharon, and Church of the Good Shepherd, West Middlesex, Pa. Throughout the years, she served as a Eucharistic minister, treasurer of the Alter Rosary Society and the treasurer of the St. Theresa Society.
Rilla took pride in volunteering at Sharon Regional Medical Center in her free time. She also enjoyed playing cards, bowling and crocheting.
Her husband, John E. Svirbly, whom she married June 17, 1950, passed away July 21, 1990.
She is survived by three daughters, Rilla (George) Dunlevy of Maumee, Nancy (Larry) Ewing of Masury and Mary Svirbly of Sharon; five sons, John (Diane) Svirbly of Greenville, Pa., Fred (Jeannette) Svirbly of Gardners, Pa., Ted (Pam) Svirbly of Greenville, Fran (Kim) Svirbly of Masury and Tom (Guyla) Svirbly of Mineral Ridge, Pa.; 23 grandchildren; 36 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
In addition to her parents and husband, Rilla was preceded in death by two sisters, Marge (Tom) Laverty and Jean (Fritz) DeGerolamo; and two brothers, Thomas (Connie) Merat and Robert (Esther) Merat.
The family suggests memorial contributions be directed to either St. Michael Church, 85 N. High St., Greenville, PA 16125; or Helping Hands Hospice, 480 N. Kerrwood Drive, Suite 103, Hermitage, PA 16148.
Calling hours will be 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday , Dec. 12, 2024, at J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory Inc., 1090 E. State St., Sharon.
A Mass of Christian burial will be 1 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, at Church of the Good Shepherd, 3613 Sharon Road, West Middlesex, with Rev. Brandon Kleckner as celebrant.
Interment is in Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Cemetery, Hermitage.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.McGonigleFuneralHomeandCrematory.com.
(special notice)