Margaret F. (Depenhart) Witherel

January 01, 1970

Of Ross Twp. in her 100th year, on Monday, August 30, 2021. Born February 12, 1922, in Pittsburgh, PA, daughter of the late Joseph and Anna Depenhart. Beloved wife of the late Murven “Murph” Witherel. Loving mother of Beverly Ann Rishel (Stephen) and Jeffrey Witherel (Linda). Proud grandmother of William Scott Rishel (Tasha), Cassandra Ezzell (Chris) and Carrie Lynn Hoppes (Brad); great-grandmother of Fox, Owen, and Ellie Ezzell, J.P. Hoppes, John Michael Rishel, and one on the way Tyler James. Margaret was baptized by Rev Adolf Keller at All Saints Church in Etna, PA on February 26, 1922, and received her confirmation on March 14, 1933. She graduated from All Saints School in June 1936, and from Shaler High School in 1940.
After high school, Margaret worked as a caregiver to a lady in Millvale, PA, then as a wrapper at Gimbels in Pittsburgh (wrapped a gift for Boris Karloff), and finally as a file clerk at Farmer’s Bank also in Pittsburgh.
She met her future spouse, Murph, at a dance at St Anthony Lyceum in Millvale in 1941; they were married at Camp Luis Obispo, CA in 1943. During the war she lived with her in-laws, Murven and Louise Witherel at 3375 Old Evergreen Rd, North Hills. In 1944, Murph’s and Margaret’s daughter, Beverly (Rishel), was born at St Francis Hospital in Lawrenceville. Once Murph was released from Dashon General Hospital, Butler, PA in 1945, they purchased the house on Babcock Blvd next door to his parents. In 1948, their son, Jeff, was born at St Francis.
Margaret was a stay-at-home Mom, but was heavily involved in her community, Saint Sebastian Church and School, and the Girl Scouts. She and her husband lived in Ross Township their entire marriage of 69 years. Five years after Murph died in 2013, she moved into Vincentian Personal Care in McCandless Township. Friends received Wednesday 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at DEVLIN FUNERAL HOME, INC., 806 Perry Hwy., North Hills. Mass of Christian Burial in Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish, St. Sebastian Church, Thursday 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions to Vincentian Personal Care Home, 111 Perrymont Rd, Pittsburgh, Pa 15237.