Obituary for Mary Jane Toggas
Mary Jane Toggas, surrounded by her loving family, peacefully entered into her eternal rest on September 14, 2017 to join the love of her life, husband John T., to whom she was married more than 60 years, and her beloved son, John S., affectionately known as “Moc.” She is survived by her beloved daughter, Stephanie M. Leinbach, and her husband, Carl S. Leinbach, of Langhorne, PA, and her 3 precious grandchildren, Matthew A. Toggas, Orefield, Samantha L. Toggas, Philadelphia, and Brock A. Leinbach, Langhorne.
Mary Jane was the daughter of the late Steven and Ermoine (Valavanis) Svarnas, Gettysburg, and was preceded in death by her brother George Svarnas of Frederick, MD. She is survived by several nieces, nephews, and cousins who have always been her loving and caring family, too.
Mary Jane’s grandchildren, whom she dearly cherished, lovingly called her “YaYa,” and she was always happiest when they were together. Attending their children’s and grandchildren’s school, musical, and sporting events was always a top priority for John and Mary Jane.
Supporting John as head wrestling coach at Biglerville High School and West York High School, Mary Jane, Moc, and Steph were John’s and his teams’ most devoted and enthusiastic fans. With John and Moc both being wrestling coaches, and Moc and grandsons Matthew and Brock outstanding wrestlers, it goes without saying that wrestling was their “way of life”; they loved the sport, and they so loved each other.
Mary Jane was a proud and loyal member of the Gettysburg High School Class of 1949. She was on their Reunion Committees and also met with the 49ers monthly luncheons as well as with a group called The Lunch Bunch each month.
Mary Jane and John started the Gettysburg High School Wrestling Booster Club in 1971, and for several years hosted the monthly meetings.
She was private secretary and classified advertising manager with The Gettysburg Times for 9 years. After 9 years, she retired to be a stay-at-home mom. Starting in 1984, she was employed by the Gettysburg Area School District as a part-time reading aide at Meade School for 9 years, Keefauver Elementary School as a math aide for 2 years, and pre-kindergarten aide at Franklin Township for 2 years. She also served on the local election panel for over 30 years.
Mary Jane’s favorite and happiest times were being with her loving family, which always came first. She truly believed that family is where love begins and love never ends.
She enjoyed sending cards to family and friends, and if she couldn’t find the “right” card, she’d make one.
A celebration of life tribute service will be held 11:00 AM, Friday, September 22, 2017 at the Monahan Funeral Home, 125 Carlisle St., Gettysburg, PA at 11:00 AM, with Father Andrew N. Tsikitas, York, PA, officiating. The family will receive friends and family from 10:00 AM until the time of the service. Burial will be in the Evergreen Cemetery, Gettysburg, PA. Online condolences may be made at monahanfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation, 2500 Pine Grove Road, York, PA 19403; West York Wrestling Alumni website, c/o Donald Lehman, 1898 Herman Drive, York, PA, 17408, and St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
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Mary Jane was the daughter of the late Steven and Ermoine (Valavanis) Svarnas, Gettysburg, and was preceded in death by her brother George Svarnas of Frederick, MD. She is survived by several nieces, nephews, and cousins who have always been her loving and caring family, too.
Mary Jane’s grandchildren, whom she dearly cherished, lovingly called her “YaYa,” and she was always happiest when they were together. Attending their children’s and grandchildren’s school, musical, and sporting events was always a top priority for John and Mary Jane.
Supporting John as head wrestling coach at Biglerville High School and West York High School, Mary Jane, Moc, and Steph were John’s and his teams’ most devoted and enthusiastic fans. With John and Moc both being wrestling coaches, and Moc and grandsons Matthew and Brock outstanding wrestlers, it goes without saying that wrestling was their “way of life”; they loved the sport, and they so loved each other.
Mary Jane was a proud and loyal member of the Gettysburg High School Class of 1949. She was on their Reunion Committees and also met with the 49ers monthly luncheons as well as with a group called The Lunch Bunch each month.
Mary Jane and John started the Gettysburg High School Wrestling Booster Club in 1971, and for several years hosted the monthly meetings.
She was private secretary and classified advertising manager with The Gettysburg Times for 9 years. After 9 years, she retired to be a stay-at-home mom. Starting in 1984, she was employed by the Gettysburg Area School District as a part-time reading aide at Meade School for 9 years, Keefauver Elementary School as a math aide for 2 years, and pre-kindergarten aide at Franklin Township for 2 years. She also served on the local election panel for over 30 years.
Mary Jane’s favorite and happiest times were being with her loving family, which always came first. She truly believed that family is where love begins and love never ends.
She enjoyed sending cards to family and friends, and if she couldn’t find the “right” card, she’d make one.
A celebration of life tribute service will be held 11:00 AM, Friday, September 22, 2017 at the Monahan Funeral Home, 125 Carlisle St., Gettysburg, PA at 11:00 AM, with Father Andrew N. Tsikitas, York, PA, officiating. The family will receive friends and family from 10:00 AM until the time of the service. Burial will be in the Evergreen Cemetery, Gettysburg, PA. Online condolences may be made at monahanfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation, 2500 Pine Grove Road, York, PA 19403; West York Wrestling Alumni website, c/o Donald Lehman, 1898 Herman Drive, York, PA, 17408, and St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
Previous Events
Visitation
Friday
22
Sep
10:00 AM
- 11:00 AM
Monahan Funeral Home
125 Carlisle Street
Gettysburg, PA 17325
Service
Friday
22
Sep
11:00 AM
Monahan Funeral Home
125 Carlisle Street
Gettysburg, PA 17325
Cemetery Details
Location
Evergreen Cemetery
799 Baltimore St.
Gettysburg, PA 17325
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