Louise Anne (Schrenkel) Kolonay

KOLONAY, LOUISE ANNE, 91, Hastings, passed away August 3, 2024, at UPMC Altoona.  Born December 10, 1932, in Spangler, the eldest daughter of the late John and Magdalene (Sasway) Schrenkel.  Preceded in death by husband James; brother, Jack Schrenkel; and sister, Mary Celeste Schrenkel Young.  Survived by daughter, Lisa (Daniel); son, Jaime (Susan); grandson, James; and sister, Dolores Ogurek.  Blessed with a razor-sharp intellect and authoritative voice, Louise was meant to be a teacher.  Her life began in the multi-ethnic coal mining community of “West Branch” (Barnesboro).  She often reminisced with joy about her simple but loving upbringing.  Louise graduated at age 19 from Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a dual degree in French and Biology.  For decades, she taught French and other subjects at Cambria Heights High School.  Such was her positive influence over her students, that many of them became lifelong friends.  In addition to her professional career, Louise was skilled in the homely arts.  Needlework, as well as knitting and crocheting, were among her hobbies.  As a marching band and football mother, she supported the Cambria Heights Highlanders.  A talented cook and baker, she made the holidays festive with her delicious renditions of Hungarian, Slovak and German treats.  Her parmesan rolls, a recipe she invented, were legendary.  Pizza with homemade bread dough was an annual birthday request throughout childhood.  Though small in stature, she was capable of doing anything she set her mind to do, with the exception of retrieving things from high shelves.  At age 27, she was critically injured in a catastrophic car accident, but made a complete recovery to continue her teaching career, marry and start a family.  After the death of her husband, Louise became active in Red Hats Society, Library Book Club, and Senior Citizens Club, where she learned to play Mahjong.  A gregarious person, Louise loved visiting with friends and family, especially her tall grandson James, whom she loved to hug with all her might.  She enjoyed lively conversation and cackled with glee when amused.  Her cheerful “What’s up Doc?” when answering the phone was followed by requests for a detailed account of what you were cooking for dinner, growing in the garden, and watching on Netflix.  She loved all animals, especially cats.  As a child, she dressed her Manx cat, Tommy, in doll clothes and wheeled him around the neighborhood in a baby buggy.  Louise was a devout Catholic and member of St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in Hastings.  Family and friends will be received from 2 – 4 & 6 – 8 p.m.  Thursday, August 8, 2024, at Moriconi Funeral Home, Inc., Northern Cambria.  Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Friday, August 9, 2024, at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church, Hastings.  Fr. Thaddeus Rettger, OSB officiating.  In lieu of flowers, please donate to St. Bernard’s parish or the Hasting Public Library.  The Kolonay family would like to express their gratitude to all of the medical personnel who cared for their dear mother.  Special thanks to the staff at Arotin’s Hummingbird Estate, and to family friend, Patty Whited.  Mum, we love you and will miss you always.  Thank you for all you have given us.  Until we meet again, Viszontlatasra.

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