Obituaries

To be remembered in so many ways, Rena truly had a heart of gold. She was very generous and very loved by all who knew her. She will certainly be missed deeply.

She loved to paint, was an amazing seamstress and enjoyed playing games on her IPad. She loved to cook and bake (her Christmas cookies, and pumpkin and apples pies were the absolute best!). She loved doing crafts and enjoyed helping make Christmas decorations. She was an avid crocheter with her daughter. The duo spent hours crocheting hats, gloves, scarves and blankets, only to selflessly donate them to the homeless shelter.

She also loved the casino, traveled a bit and loved to spend extended time with her children and her sisters (she was the “baby” of the family). She loved a good mystery book and read every “Murder She Wrote”. She loved her puzzles, including word searches and sudoku.

She was a devout Catholic who read her Bible and her rosaries every single day, praying for each and every one of us.

She will never be forgotten.

She is survived by her children, Ginger Nase of Chalfont, Doreen Stabene of Pennsburg, Debbie Zaleski of N.J., David Merkel of Scranton and Randy Merkel of Dublin; 13 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

The last of the Sala siblings, she was also preceded in death by sisters, Josephine Arner, Annamae Horack, Aurelia Alexander and infant Mary; and her beloved daughter, Gwenda Marisco.

Her family would like to express its gratitude to the staff of Dunmore Health Care Center for its care and compassion throughout Rena’s stay.

Funeral services will be at St. Joseph’s Church in Summit Hill with burial following at St. Joseph’s Parish Cemetery where she will be laid to rest with family.