Martha (Balent) Hess

Martha Balent Hess, 99, of Washington, formerly of Charleroi, passed away peacefully in Strabane Trails Village on Thursday, December 15, 2022.

She was born February 25, 1923, in Bentleyville, a daughter of the late Stephen and Mary Draganovsky Balent.

Martha was a 1941 graduate of Bentleyville High School.

On April 24, 1944, she married Harry A. Hess, Jr. who died on October 12, 1990.

A life-long parishioner of St. Clement Roman Catholic Church, now St. Katharine Drexel, Bentleyville Campus, Martha was a member of the Rosary Altar Society and volunteered with the “Pierogi ladies” at the church.

Martha was employed at Nemacolin Country Club, Beallsville. She later worked at Corning Glass, retiring in 1985.

Throughout Martha’s life, she cherished her friends, “Sewing Club” ladies, co-workers, church friends, and members of the Bentleyville Senior Citizens Center were an integral part of her life.

For the past eight years, she resided at Strabane Trails Village. She enjoyed many activities there including playing canasta, board games, and building puzzles with the “puzzle” ladies.

Reading, working in her yard, and flowers, embroidery and appliqué were among her favorite activities. Her beautiful samplers and quilts are treasured by her children and grandchildren. Most of all, Martha loved her family, enjoying every moment spent with them. We were blessed with a kind, patient and gentle mom, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Her presence will be greatly missed.

Martha is survived by daughters Janet Adamusko of Newtown, PA, Joyce O’Hara (William) of Washington, Patty Riley (Denny) of Weaverville NC, and son David Hess (Paula) of Eighty Four; grandchildren, Eric Adamusko (Michelle), Megan Clawson (Seth), Shelly O’Hara-Tapp (David), Erin Tracey (Terry), Leah Brennan (David), David Adamusko (Christi) and Kelly Hess; great-grandchildren Sarah, John, Benjamin, Lily, and Daniel Adamusko, Noah and Liam Tapp, Gray and Riles Tracey, Charlotte and Mitchell Brennan, Joshua, Eve and Porter Clawson. Also surviving are many nieces and nephews, and a sister-in-law Margaret Hess of Richfield, Ohio.

Martha is the last of her immediate family. Deceased, in addition to her parents and husband, are infant twin sons Richard and Raymond; brothers Andrew, Stephen, and Joseph Balent, and sisters Anna Letecki, Mary Tokar, Sophie Bonk, Katherine Kibelbek, Margaret Petro, and Bertha Langlotz.

The family sincerely appreciates the kindness and care extended to Martha by the staff at Strabane Trails Village, the caregivers of the Caring Mission, and the staff of Gateway Hospice.

All services are private and in the care of the Thompson-Marodi Funeral Home, 809 Main Street, Bentleyville.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests your consideration of memorials to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, 3401 Civic Center Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19104, www.chop.edu or Benevolent Care Fund, Strabane Trails Village, UPMC Senior Community, 200 Lothrop Street, #1005, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, www.upmc.com For donations by check, please write Memorial/Martha Hess in the memo line.

Memories and condolences can be shared at www.thompson-marodi.com

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