Area Funerals

Mary Torrance Brant

Mary Torrance Brant, 85 of Tobyhanna, shuffled off her mortal coil, as she had wished, peacefully at home, surrounded by those she loved on May 26, 2023.

Mary was born on Nov. 23, 1937, to Mary Ellen Warren Torrance and Dr. Calvin Clark Torrance in Albany, New York. She grew up happily as the younger sister of Sally Knowlton Torrance (Reed) and Calvin Warren Torrance. They lived primarily in Maine during WW2, while their father was stationed overseas. On his return the family settled in Jamestown, NY.

Mary graduated from Jamestown High School with honors. She received her BA in Education from Chatham College in Pittsburgh.

She married Jay Ernest Brant in 1959. Their daughter Kathleen was born at Ft. Belvoir in 1960. They moved to Michigan after his discharge.

She taught at St. Suzanne’s in Detroit (and assisted Mrs. Delaney on the school musicals) while completing her Master’s in Education at the University of Michigan.

Mary moved to Miami in 1984 and become a financial advisor and tax preparer as well as a celebrated math teacher and director of musicals at Gulliver Academy for the next 25 years.

She bought her home in Tobyhanna in 1999 to be close to her daughter and son-in-law in New York City. Mary spent many summers and holidays in Pennsylvania before retiring and moving permanently to her house atop Mount Pocono in 2014.

Mary is pre-deceased by her parents, sister and her nephew, William Reed.

Mary is survived by (and will be sorely missed by): her daughter and son-inlaw, Kathleen Brant Jones and Jeffrey Swan Jones; her brother, Calvin Warren Torrance and Ginny; her nieces, Mary Ellen Reed Leon and Jose, and Pamela Diane Torrance; her nephews, John Reed and Barbara, Edward Reed, and Mark Charles Torrance; Kit the Cat, her friends, neighbors, aides and a myriad of students and tax clients going back 50 years.

A Celebration of Life is in the works for early fall of 2023. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the amazing organization that supported mom’s last year, body and soul, as she made the journey to her ultimate destination: Hospice of the Sacred Heart: https://www. hospicesacredheart.org/ donate

Bolock Funeral Home, 6148 Paradise Valley Road, Cresco, was in charge of arrangements.

Julia Hay, age 95, of Saint Petersburg, FL, passed away peacefully surrounded by her sons on May 25, 2023.

She was born on April 5, 1928 and grew up in Tobyhanna.

She was very active throughout her life, working in her parents’ local bar until she met her true love Kenneth Hay. They both moved to Pocono Summit, and lived there most of their lives.

She and her husband worked Strickland’s

The Rev. Ralph C. Roth, 87, died on Monday, May 22, 2023, at Phoebe Berks in Wernersville, PA where he was a resident from 2013 and was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Sinking Spring. He was the husband of the late Jean I. (Gibson) Roth who preceded him in death on January 7, 2013.

Born on February 11, 1936, in Philadelphia, he was the son of the late Ralph C. Sr. and Pauline (Strecker) Roth. He is preceded in death by his sister, Elsie McAdoo.

Raised in Northeast Philadelphia, he attended Lincoln High School, (class of 1954). He studied electrical engineering at Drexel University. Called to ordained ministry in the Reformed Episcopal Church, Ralph completed a three-year Master of Divinity program with distinction in Biblical languages, after which he fulfilled four-year undergraduate program at Temple University, earning a BA in Philosophy (Suma Cum Laude), and after which time his Master of Divinity degree was conferred. He then sought ordination in the Protestant

THE REV. RALPH C. ROTH

Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Philadelphia, attended The Philadelphia Divinity School where he earned a second Masters of Divinity. He was ordained to both the deaconate and the priesthood in 1965, while as Curate and Associate Pastor at St. Phillips in the Fields Episcopal Church of Oreland PA.

In 1967 he was installed as Vicar and later named Rector to Trinity Episcopal Church in Mt. Pocono, serving until his retirement in 1997, after which he was named Rector Emeritus.

Upon retirement, he and his wife moved from the church parsonage in Mt. Pocono to Stroud Township where they became members of Christ Episcopal Church in Stroudsburg.

He was a devoted son, brother, husband, father, scholar, teacher, counselor, spiritual leader and friend to many, whose practice was always to love; serving others skillfully, selflessly and with compassion.

Surviving are three sons, William C. and Linde Roth of Sellersville, David C. and

Julia Hay

Pocono Mountain Resort (a honeymoon resort) for many years. Julie was the social director there and because of her vibrant and magnetic personality became very loved by all the guests.

Julie had twin boys, Ralph Hay and Preston Hay. During the twins’ childhood she worked at Johnnie’s Inn in Pocono Summit as a waitress at night so she could take care of them during the day while Ken worked. After her sons went to college, Julie obtained a position at Pocono Mountain High School for the balance of her career years. There she was a guidance counselor secretary and was loved by all of the students and faculty alike.

Susan Roth of Allentown, and James A. and Amanda Roth of Douglassville; daughter-in-law Sherry Kozero-Roth of Fogelsville; six grandchildren, Damian M. and Carmelina Roth of Royersford, Matthew K. and spouse Veronica Roth of Lansdale, Gabriel, Ian, William, and Ralla Jean; and three great-grandchildren, Leona, Sebastian, and Emelia.

The funeral service will be held on Saturday, June 10, beginning at 1 p.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church in Mt. Pocono. The Reverend William Moyer and the Reverend Richard Moore will be presiding. Private burial will take place at New Goshenhopen U.C.C. Cemetery in East Greenville at a later date.

Directly following the service, friends and family are invited for fellowship and light refreshments in the church Parish Hall.

The family requests that memorial remembrances be made to Trinity Episcopal Church, 137 Trinity Hill Road, Mt. Pocono, PA 18344.

In her retirement years, Julie moved to St. Petersburg and lived there for over 18 years. She and her husband lived at Westminster Shores. The first years of living there they lived in an interesting home the home where the movie “Cocoon” was filmed.

Julie’s husband, Ken, passed away several years after moving to the Shores and Julie continued to live a vibrant and active life there until her passing.

A funeral service was held at Bolock Funeral Home, 6148 Paradise Valley Road, Cresco, on June 2. Burial took place at St. Catherine’s Cemetery.

Memories and condolences may be shared at bolockfuneralhome.com for the Hay family.