Story written by Laura, a grandchild of Meg & “A”

Meet Edward J. Bodenschatz, Jr. and Margaret Bodenschatz, née Rooney. To their friends, family, and neighbors, they were known as Meg and “A.” They raised their family in Summerhill, Cambria County — a small town nestled in a valley of the Allegheny Mountains of western Pennsylvania.

Meg was born and raised in the Moxham neighborhood of Johnstown, Cambria County, and she was always fastidious about her appearance—so much so that she was often a little late to most events. 

“A” was born and raised in Summerhill and made his living as a coal miner. His unique style included a liberal mixing of patterns and colors in jackets, pants, and ties. He liked to top things off with a fedora and a cigar!

The photo above is from the summer of 1976. The smiles on Meg and “A”s faces show that they are enjoying a pleasant day at the home of “Hon” (Margaret Shrift), one of “A”s three sisters. They finally had the chance to relax a bit, knowing they nearly finished raising their 10 children — a process that spanned over 30 years.

Meg and “A” were married for 50 years as of May 10, 1991. The photo above shows them as they left St. John’s Roman Catholic Church in Summerhill after the celebratory mass for their golden wedding anniversary. Mass, officiated by “A”s only brother, Father Ronald Bodenschatz, was followed by a short drive to New Germany Grove for a celebratory dinner with their children, grandchildren, friends, cousins, and neighbors. 

Sadly, Meg passed away that October, making the memories of this day even more precious to the family. The grief of the family was broken temporarily when the hearse, which was to carry Meg’s remains from Dimond’s Funeral Home in South Fork to St. John’s Church in Summerhill for her funeral mass, would not start. How fitting that Meg managed to be late for her own funeral!