Erna Schopf Riccio died on December 27, 2012 of Interstitial Lung Disease after a two month struggle at LGH and York Hospital.  Erna was born in Columbia on May 7, 1936.  Her parents were Robert Billet Schopf and Myrtle Kauffman Schopf.

She went to Taylor School were she was a proud member of the 2 ^nd grade Rhythm Band.  Erna was in the May Court her senior year, and graduated seventh in her class from Columbia High School in 1954.  She was very active in the Secretaries Club, Y-Teens and especially the Dramatic Club.  She worked at Armstrong for 5 years, and then embraced her true career, marriage and motherhood.  She was the best that there could be in that vocation.  She was an outgoing, loving person who would communicate with friends, family, neighbors or even strangers when a word was needed.  Her fondest times were when she was giving to her extended family in some way, by baby-sitting, finding a needed item at a garage sale, visiting them socially, or hosting a birthday or holiday dinner.  She truly was the heart of her family, always loving and protecting them.  She loved to sing to and with her children and grandchildren.  As one of those songs says, "You are my sunshine", she was indeed the "sunshine" in our lives and we will hang our heads and cry.  Her great brown eyes, wonderful smile, and disposition made her contagious to everyone she met.  She began serving St. Leo the Great Parish in 1964 and became a member in 1970.  She was an active, faithful member until death.  She was a tireless worker for the Woman's Guild, chairing both the Festival White Elephant stand and the Entertainment Book Sale for many years.  She also worked on many Card Parties and Athletic Dances and served on St. Leo the Great School Board.

Erna was married to James P. Riccio for 53 years.  Her children are Deborah Scicchitano (Tony) of Lancaster, Michael Riccio (Anita) of Glenmoore and Christina Stock (Jamie) of Landisville; her grandchildren are Matthew Scicchitano (Jennifer) of DuBois, PA, Vincent Scicchitano of Mount Lebanon, PA, Maria Teresa and Dominic Riccio of Glenmoore, PA and Hunter and Noah Stock of Landisville; her sister is Carolyn Miller (Harvey J.) of Lancaster; her brothers are Steve Bailey (Madeline) of Marietta and Dennis Schopf (Ellie) of Lancaster.

Erna had one great-grandchild, Zoe Grace Scicchitano, who was born on November 20, 2012.  Her parents are Matt and Jen Scicchitano.  Erna was eagerly looking forward to meeting Zoe and surely is smiling at her from Heaven.

She was pre-deceased by her parents and her brothers, Robert E. Schopf and James P. Schopf.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30AM on Monday, December 31, 2012 at St. Leo the Great Catholic Church, 2427 Marietta Avenue, Lancaster, PA 17601, with Rev. Peter I. Hahn as Celebrant.  Family and friends will be received from 6-8PM on Sunday, December 30, 2012 at the Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory, 441 North George Street, Millersville, PA 17551 with the Recitation of the Chaplet of the Divine Mercy and the Holy Rosary beginning at 8PM.  Friends will also be received on Monday from 9-10:15AM at the church.  Interment will be at St. Peters Catholic Cemetery, Columbia.  Please omit flowers.  Contributions may be made in Erna's memory to St. Leo the Great Catholic Church or to the American Lung Association, 3001 Old Gettysburg Road, Camp Hill, PA 17011.    To send the family online condolences, please visit SnyderFuneralHome.com. Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory 717-872-5041