Marie Golden

Our wonderful mother left this world on Tuesday, January 29th, in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, surrounded by her loving family, after a brief illness.
Marie A. Golden was born to the late Herman and Teresa (Haran) Bossert on January 8, 1934 in Scranton Pennsylvania. From Tess and Herm, the best grandparents anyone could ever have, Marie inherited her good humor, kindness, love of music, and love of life. Her older brother Donald passed away in 1968. She attended Bancroft School, just around the corner from her childhood home, and graduated from Scranton Technical High School in 1951. She was a member of St. Vincent de Paul Church. After graduation, Marie pursued her love of dance, as a dance instructor for Arthur Murray. She also went on to work for the Globe Store in Scranton and also at the D&L Railroad building.
She married her husband of 55 years, James P. Golden of Dunmore, PA, on February 7, 1959 at St. Vincent’s in Scranton. Jim passed away in 2014. Together they had five children, whom they raised in both Scranton and then in Chambersburg. Marie is survived by her daughter Cynthia and her husband Jeremy Somers of Pittsburgh, daughter Suzanne and husband Brian Kadel, son James and Shelly, daughter Trish and husband Bill Passavanti of Blue Ridge, Georgia, and daughter Lori and Jay. She is also survived by her grandchildren Hannah and Emma Somers, Kaleigh Lowe and her husband Jonathon, Jessica Stenger, Sophia Golden, Liz Sicard and her husband Kenny, Mac and Caroline Gordon, and Tessa and Jack Swanger. In addition, Marie was a great-grandmother to Anslie, Oliver, Gavin, Amara, Rylan, Charley, Landon, and Asher. She is also survived by her dear cousins Mary Lois and Ken Keib and Suzanne Tigue, all of Scranton, the Reverend P.J. Naughton of Davie, FL, Cathie McGeehan, of New Jersey, Gerard and E.J. Mayer of Scranton, Ellen Golden Tyrell of Florida, and Thomas J. Golden and family of Dunmore, and many more cousins from Scranton and New York State.
Family and friends were the most important things in her life, and her Chambersburg “family” meant the world to her. The Lecuonas, the Corapis, and the Dolans became her extended family. She was a member of Corpus Christi Church, and drew many lifelong friends from those she met through Corpus Christi. She was an active volunteer at Corpus Christi School when her children attended, and a member and Grand Lady of the Columbian Ladies. She loved the theatre, and in the 1970’s joined with the Corpus Christi community to produce, sing and dance in variety shows to raise funds for the school.
Marie was committed to her children, to helping others and to social causes. Whether it was as a softball coach, a Girl Scout volunteer, or running the snack bar at Little League games, you could count on her to help. She was active in the Spring Valley Ladies Club, delivered Meals and Wheels, and was a volunteer for numerous church activities. After her children graduated from high school she worked as a teacher’s aide at the Franklin Learning Center, a role that brought her great joy. She maintained her relationships with many of the special needs children she cared for who knew her as “Goldie.” Marie returned regularly to her home town to attend her high school reunions, most recently joining her Tech classmates in July for their 67th-year celebration. She valued the good friends she maintained over the years.
Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren meant the world to her, and every visit and phone call was special. She authored a children’s book for them based on a story she told them over the years. We will remember our mother Marie for the warm home she made for family and friends. She opened her home and heart to everyone. Her spirit will continue to guide us in kindness and love.
Friends will be received at the Thomas L. Geisel Funeral Home 333 Falling Spring Road Chambersburg on Monday evening, February 4, from 6-8 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by her cousin the Rev. P.J. Naughton at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 5, at Corpus Christi Church 320 Philadelphia Avenue Chambersburg. Interment will follow at Corpus Christi Cemetery. Donations may be made in her memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, one of her favorite charities, at 262 Danny Thomas Place Memphis, TN 38105. Condolences may be shared at geiselfuneralhome.com.