Olga Lucille Viola

Olga Lucille Viola, age 96, of Waverly, PA, passed away peacefully at home on March 21, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. Olga married her loving husband, John Joseph Viola, on September 6, 1952. The couple shared 69 years of marriage before his passing in 2021.

Born on July 13, 1928, in Jenkins Township, Olga was the daughter of Carlo and Alice (Calista) Gammaitoni. She graduated from Jenkins Township High School in 1945 and Scranton Lackawanna College in 1946, spending her career as an executive secretary with Mutual of New York.

Olga dedicated her life to her family, community, and church. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend. Her home was always filled with warmth and laughter, which drew her family from around the country to her house for the holidays. Her kindness also showed during her active volunteering; those who knew Olga at the St. Francis Kitchen (Scranton) and the Attic Shop (Waverly) can attest to her unwavering dedication to those around her. She was a member of the Waverly Women’s Club and St. Gregory Rosary Club. Olga and her husband faithfully worshiped at Our Lady of the Snows and Church of St. Gregory.

Olga was passionate about cooking and baking. She loved to share plates of her famous Christmas cookies with family, friends, and neighbors. She also proudly passed on her Italian recipes, learned from her mother, to all of us.

Olga enjoyed being active with her golfing, bowling (taught by her father), participating in several bridge clubs, and working on jigsaw and crossword puzzles. She traveled to many places, including Stone Harbor, Hilton Head Island, Europe, Las Vegas, Hawaii, and numerous cruises. Olga especially loved traveling to Italy with her husband, family, and church friends. On one of her favorite trips to Italy, she visited her distant Gammaitoni relatives. Olga was very proud of her Italian heritage.

Olga will be deeply missed by her children, Marian and husband Dennis Berns, Gilbertsville, Joanne Viola, Clarks Green, and John Viola, Jr. and wife Cindi, Stuart, FL; her grandchildren, Allison Turner and husband Jim, Pottstown, Katharine Viola, Pasadena, CA, and Alex Viola, Miami, FL; and her great-grandchildren, Emilia and Violet Turner. She is also survived by one of her brothers, Carl Gammaitoni, Archbald, and numerous nieces, nephews, other extended family, and friends.

She was preceded in death by a sister, Louise Pisa, and a brother, Arnold Gammaitoni.

The family would like to express deep gratitude to her caring physician, Dr. Phillip Boccagno, the Angels of Hospice of the Sacred Heart, and her wonderful caregivers.

The funeral will be on Thursday, March 27, 2025, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM at Church of St. Gregory, 330 North Abington Road, Clarks Green. The interment will be at Hickory Grove Cemetery, Waverly Township. The family will receive relatives and friends on Thursday at the Church from 10:00 to 10:45 AM.

Memorial Contributions may be made to Hospice of the Sacred Heart, 30 E.D. Preate Dr., Ste 108, Moosic, PA 18507, www.hospicesacredheart.org or DAV – Disabled American Veterans, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301 www.dav.org.