Obituaries
Erna Schopf Riccio
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 2nd 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
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THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS.
TED AND AUDREY CAREY
Mike & Anita. I know yours hearts are aching. Please know that you are in my thoughts & prayers.
Karen Costello
That was such a beautiful obituary and so wonderfully embraced the very essence of Erna.She will be so very sadly missed by every life she touched, even if only with her "What a wonderful person you are" smile-and what a wonderful smile that was!
Denny and Linden Groft
My thoughts and prayers are with the family of Erna. I know it has been difficult these past few months but hope you find some comfort knowing that Erna is now resting in peace with God by her side. It is a time of sorrow yet we know she is now in a better place watching over her family and loved ones as a gardian angel.
My sympathy goes out to all of her family and friends.
Mike Sawicki (I work with Tony at Pormetric.)
Tony, Deb and Family:
My heartfelt sympathy for the loss of your mother/mother-in-law/grandmother. Please know that my thoughts are with all of you. May you take some comfort that she is no longer suffering and is now in the arms of our Heavenly Father.
Jackie Rendle
Jim and family,
I am truly sorry to read of your loss. I will remember Erna from being with you on your many pro-life activities.
My prayers,
Larry Beat
I was so sorry to see that Erna had passed away and want to express our deepest sympathies to Jim and the children. I met Erna back in the late 60’s when we first came to Lancaster and joined St. Leo’s parish. What a wonderful and friendly lady she was and I always enjoined talking to her and our daughter Laura and niece Lisa Rusnak were classmates of Chrissy’s at St. Leo’s and Catholic High. Over the years I was always glad when I would run into Erna while we were out shopping or at the card parties and I know she will be sadly missed by all who knew her. At it turns out our next door neighbor Mindy Esbenshade is her niece. Please know you all are in our thoughts and prayers as you go through this sad time and she will be sadly missed by all who knew her.
With our deepest sympathy,
Nancy and John Straw
Jim and Family
I am so sorry for your loss. I adored your wife/mother. She always had a smile and was so cheerful everytime I saw her. Erna always had lots of questions about my family and showed interest in what I was up to. She always made me feel special and important. I will always remember her endearing pinching of the cheeks when she would greet me. I will also remember Erna as a part of the Bridge group. Those loud laughing women who played bridge but who also supported each other in life’s ups and downs. Erna was such a wonderful friend to my mother. I hope you will all find strength, comfort and peace in the beautiful memories of your wife/mother. You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.
With Love
Keara Fink and family
Please accept our deepest condolences. Aunt Erna was a very dear person. She was thoughtful, kind, and loved by all. She will be missed greatly.
Cris & Annette (Bailey) Goodman
Dear Jim and family,
I am very sorry for your loss. I will always remember Erna as part of my mom’s "Bridge Group" – those wonderful group of friends who have loved and supported one another for so many years. She was a treasured friend to my mom and I know she will be deeply missed. She was always so curious about my overseas adventures and never failed to ask me great questions and allow me to tell my stories. She was a sweet, warm, lovely lady. I am keeping her, and all of her family and dear friends, in my thoughts and prayers.
Love,
Maura Fulton
WE EXTEND OUR SYMPATHIES TO SON MIKE (AND ANITA) AND TO OTHER MEMBERS OF THE RICCIO FAMILY. THEY HAVE LOST BOTH A GREAT MOTHER AND A WONDERFUL AND WELL-RESPECTED LADY.
ROSE AND FRANK BORRELLE
We are so sorry for your loss. We did not know Erna well, but after reading her obituary we wish we would have known her; our lives would have been better for having known her. She must have been an amazing wife, mother and grandmother. Hopefully those memories will someday overshadow your grief.
Chrissy you and all your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Love,
Cindy and Dan Powell
TO JIM & FAMILY, WE WISH TO SEND OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHY AT THIS MOST DIFFICULT TIME. OUR THOUGHTS & PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU & MAY GOD BLESS & COMFORT YOU.
NEIL,CHRISTINE & MARY (MOM) CANTOR
Jim and Family,
I am so sorry for your loss. Erna always had a way of making me feel like I was the most important person in the room. Not long ago she called me out of the blue just to talk about my kids and how she had saved every Christmas card picture of them I sent to her. It meant a lot to me and I could not believe how she held on to those photos and always checked in on my family. I hope there is some comfort knowing that Erna is at peace now and joined with Christ, and I hope the happy memories help you through this difficult time.
With Love,
Deirdre & Warren BeVard and Family
I will miss Aunt Erna’s wonderful smile and hearing her say my name when she would call me on the phone. Only she could put such a smile on my face by just saying, "Trudy, how are you?". Although we only connected a few times a year, it was always special. I especially remember a few years ago, when she told me she was proud of me. Aunt Erna always wanted to make others feel good. I will miss her.
With Love,
Trudy
I am so sorry for your loss. I will miss Erna so incredibly much. I am always telling the kids about all the fun times we had when I would visit your home in the summertime. Last Christmas , I bought my kids the card game Flinch because I distinctly remembered Erna teaching me that game and playing it with us when we were kids. We had so much fun. For some reason that memory really has remained so clear. There are so many other memories that I cherish as well. There are not enough words to express how special a person she was. She touched my whole family and she always made me feel special and loved. When my mother passed away she was there for me as were all of you. I will never forget that. I am so lucky to have all of you as family and my world has been a better place for having Erna in it.
Love and prayers to you all of you at this difficult time.
–Mary Alice Zehnle
I am so very sorry for your loss. Your family and my family have been friends for as far back as I can remember. Your parents were the kind of true friends that you hope to have in your lifetime, there for you in good times and bad. While I didn’t get back to St. Leo often, whenever I did, your mom was someone I would look for and hope to see. She had such a warm smile and a big hug for me every time. My favorite memory of Erna was when I was little and would stay at your house for a sleepover. In the morning, she would make toast and hot chocolate, and serve it in beautiful little "demitasse" cups with saucers. That was always such a special treat! I suppose that pretty much sums up Mrs. Riccio….always doing thoughtful things for others! I will miss Erna very much. Please know that she will always have a special place in my heart. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Love,
Lynn (Hanley) Palmer
