Margaret Rossi Bittner, 86, formerly of Germansville, Pa., died on February 8 in Allentown, Pa., after a hard-fought battle with Parkinson’s Disease. She was the wife of Kenneth F. Bittner, now of Allentown; together they managed a successful farm in the Germansville area until the early 2000s. In November 2023 they celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary.
Born in 1938 in Dunmore, Pa., Marge was the daughter of the late Rose (Cavagnaro) and Frank A. Rossi. She was a 1955 graduate of Dunmore High School. She received her bachelor’s degree from Mansfield University and a master’s degree from Penn State University in 1964, and she was a home economics teacher at the then-named Slatington High School in the 1960s.
Later, she helped her husband run their farm, doing everything from driving hay wagons to picking potatoes to bringing Kenny his dinner when he worked in the fields late into the night. Later, she was a substitute teacher at Northwestern Lehigh High School. She worked a number of other jobs, including demonstrating how to use microwave ovens when they first came on the market.
When she was young, she was an avid reader, sewer, baker and crafter. During her later years she enjoyed going on cruises, traveling, and going out for breakfast with friends. She enjoyed music and was very interested in genealogy, two passions she passed along to her daughter. With her husband Kenny, she also enjoyed driving her grandchildren to various attractions around the greater Lehigh Valley.
Surviving are a daughter, Gina Bittner, and son-in-law, Evan Johnstone, of Philadelphia; grandchildren Nathaniel and Gabriella; nephew Philip Rossi (Throop) and his wife Cindy; nieces, nephews, and great-nephews/nieces. She was preceded in death by a brother, August Rossi; nephew Frank Rossi; and many cousins with whom she had maintained strong ties.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, February 24th at 10am in the Immaculate Conception Church 801 Taylor Ave celebrated by Rev. Jeffrey Tudgay, pastor.
Friends may call Saturday morning at the church from 9am until the time of Mass.
Marge was a lifelong Catholic and burial will be at Cathedral Cemetery in Scranton, Pa.
In lieu of flowers the family encourages memorial contributions be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation, https://www.parkinson.org/.
Arrangements have been entrusted to and are under the care and direction of the Vanston and James Funeral Home, Scranton.
To share a fond memory or to express your condolences to the family please visit www.vanstonandjames.com.
Benton Finch
Margaret was a queen in my eyes. Kenny’s going to miss that fine lady.