Leona C. Wharton (Beaty)

WHARTON, CATHERINE LEONA (BEATY), 95, Colver, passed away July 24, 2023.  Born December 14, 1927, in Allegheny County, the daughter of Leonard and Catherine (Ludwig) Rodgers.  Preceded in death by parents; brothers, John Thomas Rodgers, James Rodgers, Richard Rodgers; sisters, Ann “Tooter” Rodgers; first husband, James “Abbot” Beaty, who died in 1972; second husband, Paul Wharton, who died in 2000; and daughter-in-law, Cecilia (Noel).  Survived by children, James (Louise) Beaty and Catherine (Ronald) Dumm, both of Nicktown; Patrick Beaty, Buford, GA; Denise (Robert) Patrick, Commodore; Doris (William) Smith, Colver, with whom she resided until her death; and Monica (Robert) Foti, Brigantine, NJ. 16 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-granddaughter.  Leona was a 1946 graduate of Hastings High School.  After graduation she relocated to Ft. Pierce, Florida, where she met and married her husband, Abbot Beaty, on October 16, 1947.  In 1969, she and Abbot returned to Nicktown with their family, where they carried on the operations of the St. Nicholas Hotel due to her mother’s ailing health.  After Abbot’s passing, Leona married Paul Wharton and then sold the Hotel to her brother, James, and the longtime Nicktown establishment continues under family ownership to this day.  Paul and Leona built a retirement home outside of Nicktown where she resided until his death.  She was an accomplished seamstress and an excellent cook.  While living in Colver, she continued to sew and do alterations right up to the time of her death Leona was an active member of St. Nicholas Catholic Church and served many roles in the church throughout her life including Eucharistic Minister, member of the Altar & Rosary Society and was often leader of the Rosary before mass.  She made baptism bibs, organized “noodle making” for the annual festival dinner and many funeral luncheons.  She had a full and wonderful life and will be missed by all who knew her.  Family and friends will be received from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. Thursday at Moriconi Funeral Home, Inc., Northern Cambria.  Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Friday, at St. Nicholas Catholic Church.  Fr. Jeremiah Lange, OSB, PhD officiating.  Committal, church cemetery.  The family wishes to thank the Windber Hospice for the excellent care they provided.

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