Ruth Alois Blacka

Ruth Alois Blacka, 85, of Washington, died Friday, June 9, 2006, in the home of her daughter, following a six-month illness. She was born March 24, 1921, in Washington, a daughter of Irvin Sylvester and Hazel Marie Stollar Brownlee. Mrs. Blacka was a graduate of Washington High School and a member of Washington Free Methodist Church. She enjoyed cooking, sewing, and her family. Mrs. Blacka worked the polls in the 7th Ward for elections. On September 25, 1941, she married Roy Thomas Blacka, who died January 20, 1997. Surviving are a son, Douglas Roy Blacka of Virginia Beach, Va.; a daughter, Janet Ruth Blacka Mazza of Washington; a sister, Juanita June Brownlee Dashofy of Phoenix, Ariz.; five grandchildren, Tamara Sue Blacka White and Douglas Scott Blacka, both of Virginia Beach, Dominick Louis Mazza and Valerie Jo Mazza, both of Washington, and Maggie Colleen Mazza Aquaro of Livonia, Mich.; and ten great-grandchildren. Deceased is a sister, Dorothy Mae Brownlee Clouston. Friends will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday and 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Monday in William G. Neal Funeral Homes, Ltd., 925 Allison Avenue, Washington, where services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 13, with the Rev. Robert Neal officiating. Burial will follow in Washington Cemetery. The family suggests memorial contributions to Hospice of Washington, 10 Leet Street, Washington, PA 15301.