Obituary for Marguerite Delores "Dolly" LaRocka (Kophazi)
Marguerite D. (Kophazi) LaRocka, age 97, of Bulger, passed away on December 31, 2021, in Transitions Healthcare in Washington, PA.
She was born to Joseph and Anna (Tuller) Kophazi on March 10, 1924 in Burgettstown, PA and was raised on a farm outside Bulger, PA.
She was a 1942 graduate of Burgettstown High School and immediately after graduation went to work in a plant making optical equipment and lenses for the war effort. After the plant closed, she went to work for the United States Federal Reserve Department in Pittsburgh.
On August 7,1948, she married Salvatore M. (Sam) LaRocka in St. Ann’s Church in Bulger. Dolly, as she was known to her friends, was an active member of St. Ann’s Church (now St. Isidore the Farmer Parish) and the St. Ann’s Ladies Guild and was one of the last of the original members of the “Pierogi Ladies” group.
Dolly was a caring and compassionate person, always willing to put the needs of her family and friends ahead of her own which was something she learned from the example of her parents. Often times during the Great Depression, hobo’s and others down on their luck would stop by their farm offering to perform work in exchange for a meal and they were never refused a meal even if there was no work available for them to do. Since their farm was adjacent to the railroad, where they shipped milk, many of the hobos who “road the rails” made repeated visits to their farm and told their stories of crisscrossing the country and even entertained with their harmonicas and guitars. Living on a farm was a hard life. From raising their own fruits and vegetables, feeding and taking care of all the farm animals, milking the cows, putting up hay, and canning and storing food for future use, required lots of time and manual labor which taught Dolly many skills and how to be self-sufficient and deal with trying situations. She enjoyed sharing her skills and talents for cooking, baking, gardening, sewing, and “old fashioned” wisdom whenever the need arose. Dolly felt there was no place in her life for anger. She could be best described as, “Be slow (or never) to anger and quick to forgive”. Maybe that is why she was rewarded with a long life by never wasting a day of her life being angry or jealous of others. Dolly did not possess monetary or material wealth, but she had a richness in her life that money cannot buy - Love, Happiness, and Compassion for others.
Dolly was a constant source of cards to family and friends for birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas, get well, congratulations, and of course sympathy cards for the loss of a loved one. She sent so many cards that it was no surprise when she bought out the remaining greeting card inventory of a local card shop when it closed. This continued until diminishing eye sight and arthritis made it impossible for her to continue.
At the age of 62, after the death of her husband on January 2,1986, she showed her courage and determination, with encouragement of family members, by learning to drive and getting her driver’s license. That license gave her another means to help others by driving them to appointments; delivering cookies, cakes, or chicken soup; taking them to the pharmacy or grocery store; or just visiting to show that someone cared.
Bulger was a tight knit, caring community. Whenever someone in the community suffered a death in their family, Dolly, along with other women of Bulger would canvas the town and collect money for flowers, recorded a list of donors and donations, and gave the balance of the money to the family for their needs as well as sending cooked meals and other foods to help them during their grieving. She was always willing to lend a helping hand or a shoulder to cry on to those who needed it. Her compassion and concern also extended to animals. Always one to make sure the birds had birdseed for the winter or to care for stray animals that were dropped off in rural areas “to fend for themselves” because their owners no longer wanted to take responsibility. Dolly budgeted to be able to pay for veterinary care for animals that were sick or needed to be spayed or neutered to help control the pet population. She could not stand to see anyone or anything suffer. Is it any wonder why Tom Brokaw in his book called people of her generation “The Greatest Generation”?
Dolly is survived by a son, Joseph M. (Jay) LaRocka and his wife Linda of Hickory; several caring nephews and nieces and their spouses and several close friends who never forgot her through their visits, phone calls, and cards; and her beloved cat “Sugar”.
Dolly was the last member of her immediate family. Preceding her in death in addition to her husband were her siblings and their spouses; brothers Anthony Kophazi, Stephen (Anne) Kophazi, Joseph “Bud” (Eileen) Kophazi; sisters Rose (Zarre) Gatus, Anne (Daniel) Balduzy, Elizabeth “Betty” (Joseph) Merloni, and Martha “Honey” (John) Parko; two twin sons; and many dear, lifelong friends.
Due to Covid concerns, there was no public viewing. A memorial service will be scheduled in the near future.
Mass requests and Memorial contributions may be made in her name to St. Isidore the Farmer Parish, 103 Church Road, Imperial, PA 15126; or the Washington County Humane Society; or to the favorite charity of one’s choice.
All arrangements are entrusted to Thomas-Little Funeral Service, Inc., 314 W. Lincoln Ave., McDonald (724-926-2800).
She was born to Joseph and Anna (Tuller) Kophazi on March 10, 1924 in Burgettstown, PA and was raised on a farm outside Bulger, PA.
She was a 1942 graduate of Burgettstown High School and immediately after graduation went to work in a plant making optical equipment and lenses for the war effort. After the plant closed, she went to work for the United States Federal Reserve Department in Pittsburgh.
On August 7,1948, she married Salvatore M. (Sam) LaRocka in St. Ann’s Church in Bulger. Dolly, as she was known to her friends, was an active member of St. Ann’s Church (now St. Isidore the Farmer Parish) and the St. Ann’s Ladies Guild and was one of the last of the original members of the “Pierogi Ladies” group.
Dolly was a caring and compassionate person, always willing to put the needs of her family and friends ahead of her own which was something she learned from the example of her parents. Often times during the Great Depression, hobo’s and others down on their luck would stop by their farm offering to perform work in exchange for a meal and they were never refused a meal even if there was no work available for them to do. Since their farm was adjacent to the railroad, where they shipped milk, many of the hobos who “road the rails” made repeated visits to their farm and told their stories of crisscrossing the country and even entertained with their harmonicas and guitars. Living on a farm was a hard life. From raising their own fruits and vegetables, feeding and taking care of all the farm animals, milking the cows, putting up hay, and canning and storing food for future use, required lots of time and manual labor which taught Dolly many skills and how to be self-sufficient and deal with trying situations. She enjoyed sharing her skills and talents for cooking, baking, gardening, sewing, and “old fashioned” wisdom whenever the need arose. Dolly felt there was no place in her life for anger. She could be best described as, “Be slow (or never) to anger and quick to forgive”. Maybe that is why she was rewarded with a long life by never wasting a day of her life being angry or jealous of others. Dolly did not possess monetary or material wealth, but she had a richness in her life that money cannot buy - Love, Happiness, and Compassion for others.
Dolly was a constant source of cards to family and friends for birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas, get well, congratulations, and of course sympathy cards for the loss of a loved one. She sent so many cards that it was no surprise when she bought out the remaining greeting card inventory of a local card shop when it closed. This continued until diminishing eye sight and arthritis made it impossible for her to continue.
At the age of 62, after the death of her husband on January 2,1986, she showed her courage and determination, with encouragement of family members, by learning to drive and getting her driver’s license. That license gave her another means to help others by driving them to appointments; delivering cookies, cakes, or chicken soup; taking them to the pharmacy or grocery store; or just visiting to show that someone cared.
Bulger was a tight knit, caring community. Whenever someone in the community suffered a death in their family, Dolly, along with other women of Bulger would canvas the town and collect money for flowers, recorded a list of donors and donations, and gave the balance of the money to the family for their needs as well as sending cooked meals and other foods to help them during their grieving. She was always willing to lend a helping hand or a shoulder to cry on to those who needed it. Her compassion and concern also extended to animals. Always one to make sure the birds had birdseed for the winter or to care for stray animals that were dropped off in rural areas “to fend for themselves” because their owners no longer wanted to take responsibility. Dolly budgeted to be able to pay for veterinary care for animals that were sick or needed to be spayed or neutered to help control the pet population. She could not stand to see anyone or anything suffer. Is it any wonder why Tom Brokaw in his book called people of her generation “The Greatest Generation”?
Dolly is survived by a son, Joseph M. (Jay) LaRocka and his wife Linda of Hickory; several caring nephews and nieces and their spouses and several close friends who never forgot her through their visits, phone calls, and cards; and her beloved cat “Sugar”.
Dolly was the last member of her immediate family. Preceding her in death in addition to her husband were her siblings and their spouses; brothers Anthony Kophazi, Stephen (Anne) Kophazi, Joseph “Bud” (Eileen) Kophazi; sisters Rose (Zarre) Gatus, Anne (Daniel) Balduzy, Elizabeth “Betty” (Joseph) Merloni, and Martha “Honey” (John) Parko; two twin sons; and many dear, lifelong friends.
Due to Covid concerns, there was no public viewing. A memorial service will be scheduled in the near future.
Mass requests and Memorial contributions may be made in her name to St. Isidore the Farmer Parish, 103 Church Road, Imperial, PA 15126; or the Washington County Humane Society; or to the favorite charity of one’s choice.
All arrangements are entrusted to Thomas-Little Funeral Service, Inc., 314 W. Lincoln Ave., McDonald (724-926-2800).