Anna Halagarda McMullen

Anna Halagarda McMullen, 91, of Avoca, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, April 25, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family. Anna was born in Avoca on July 15, 1934, and was the daughter of the late Stanley Halagarda and Stephania Slusarczyk Halagarda.

Throughout her life, faith and family were her greatest priorities. She was a former member of SS. Peter and Paul Church and St. Mary's Church (Queen of the Apostles Parish), Avoca, and was currently a member of Divine Mercy Parish, Scranton. A proud graduate of Avoca High School, Class of 1951, she worked for General Electric in Scranton and then retired to devote herself to raising her family. She also spent more than 40 years working side by side with her sisters and other family members at Cebula’s Restaurant in Dupont.

Anna gave generously of her time for many years, teaching religious education and serving as a Eucharistic minister at St. Mary’s Church (Queen of the Apostles Parish), Avoca. She was an original member of the Avoca Jolly Girls.  She enjoyed crafts, gardening, and spending time in her yard, and she could often be found working on puzzles with her family. Grandma Ongie loved spending time with her family—especially her grandchildren, and those moments were her greatest joy. She will be remembered as a kind and loving person who will be missed beyond words.

In addition to her parents, Anna was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas R. McMullen (July 9, 1995), and her siblings, Helen “Helcha” Zygmunt, Teresa Cebula, Stanley “Brownie” Halagarda, and Regina Zuba.

Anna leaves behind her children, Kathleen Franceschelli (Paul), of Avoca; Thomas McMullen  (Dawn), of Milford, PA; Karen O’Brien (Joseph), of State College, PA; Janice McMullen Joslin, of Pottstown; and Mary Pat Julias (Chris), of Collegeville, PA. She is also survived by her nine grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, two great-step-grandchildren, sister-in-law, Patricia Quinn, Moosic, and many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the doctors, nurses, and staff of Geisinger Medical Center, Hospice of the Sacred Heart, and a special thank you to her granddaughter, Nicole Franceschelli, BSN, RN, for their kindness, compassion, and exceptional care shown to Anna and her loved ones in her final days.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of the Sacred Heart, 100 William St., Dunmore, PA 18510.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday, April 30, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Divine Mercy Parish Church, 312 Davis St., Scranton, with Fr. Paul McDonnell and Fr. Phillip Sladicka officiating. Friends may call on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Kiesinger Funeral Services, Inc., 255 McAlpine St., Duryea.

Family and friends are asked to go directly to the church. Thursday morning for the Mass; there will be no procession from the funeral home. Private interment services will be held on Friday morning at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Avoca.

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