Ethel Virginia Hatala

Ethel Virginia Hatala, 88, of St. Thomas, Pennsylvania passed away September 16, 2022 in York, Pennsylvania. She was born on August 8, 1934 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to Thomas and Sophie (Solman) McGill.

Ethel loved to read and share her books and enjoyment of reading with others. She devoted decades to teaching and retired as a 6th grade reading teacher at James Buchanan Middle School.  She rescued and thoroughly spoiled many shelter animals.  She was active in the Catholic church, including St. Luke's and Corpus Christi. She liked socializing with her Lunch Bunch friends, chatting while she got her hair done, and spiritedly debating politics and current events. Ethel was a strong-willed, no-nonsense woman; a tough and respected teacher who cared deeply about her students' success; a dedicated member of her church; and above all, a loved wife, mother, and sister who will be fiercely and immeasurably missed.

Ethel is survived by her four children: Steve, Karl (wife Young Min), Mary Jo (husband Gary), and Paul (wife Sheenan).  She is also survived by: two grandchildren, Kenton and Rebekah; sister, Lori; brothers, Lee (wife Bernadette) and Bill; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Ronald Hatala, and brother, Thomas (Sonny) McGill.

A funeral mass for Ethel will be held at Corpus Christi Catholic Church on Saturday, September 24, 2022, at 11:00AM, with Father Matthew Smith officiating. The family will receive friends from 6:00 - 7:00 PM on Friday, September 23, 2022 at Kelso-Cornelius Funeral Home, Ltd., Chambersburg.  Interment will be held at Corpus Christi Cemetery following the funeral mass.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Ethel's favorite charity - Better Days Animal League (www.betterdaysanimalleague.org/donate/), PO Box 57, Shippensburg, PA 17257.

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