Clara O. Shuda

Clara O. Shuda, 94, of Mt. Carmel passed away on Sunday, June 4,2023 at the Mount Carmel Senior Living Community.

Born at Geisinger Hospital in Danville on September 18, 1928, she was the daughter of the late Lino and Virginia (Borga) Ferrari.

She was a graduate of Catholic High in Mt. Carmel.

Clara was married on October 21, 1950 in the former SS Peter and Paul Chapel in Atlas to John W. Shuda who preceded her in death on June 5, 2006.

They owned and operated the former Shuda’s Café in Mt. Carmel for thirty-seven years before their retirement.

She was a member of the Church of Our Lady and the Mt. Carmel Knights of Columbus Auxiliary both in Mt. Carmel.

Clara bowled for many years for the Mudry Trucking Company bowling team at the former Ridge and Crown Lanes. She acquired many trophies and her life-time average was 173. She also was a great reader, enjoyed bingo, pinochle, her many trips to the casinos. Clara was an avid Philadelphia Phillies fan. She watched every game and kept track of their wins and losses. She loved to crochet and make hanger covers to give out to her family and friends.

Surviving are two daughters, Virginia “Gig” Varano and her husband Frank “Butch” of Mt. Carmel, Donna Costello and her husband Larry of Den-Mar Gardens; one son, John “Yonk” Shuda and his wife Stella of Mt. Carmel; four grandchildren, Joseph Varano and his wife Amy, Carol Varano, Jennifer Costello and Mark Costello; one great grandchild, Noah Joseph Varano; two sisters-in-law, Joan Ferrari and Rita Shuda.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by two sisters, Rita Swank and Jean Socoloski; and one brother, Leo “Otto” Ferrari.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, June 14,2023 at 12:00 Noon at the Church of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel with the Very Rev. Francis J. Karwacki, Pastor as the celebrant. Interment will follow at All Saints Cemetery, Ralpho Township. A visitation will be held on Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. until 11:45 a.m. at the Joseph J. Stutz, Inc. Funeral Home, 40 South Market St., Mt. Carmel, Joseph J. Stutz, III Supervisor. In lieu of flowers expressions of sympathy can be made to the Church of Our Lady, 47 S. Market St., Mt. Carmel, PA 17851 or the Mt. Carmel Public Library, 30 S. Oak St., Mt. Carmel, PA 17851. To offer a condolence to Clara’s family please visit the Tribute Wall at www.stutzfuneralhome.com.