February 12 1938 January 16 2020
Angela Maria Bishop, 81, of Alliance, passed away on Thursday, January 16, 2020, at her home in Alliance. She was born to Angela M. “Mary” (Vitale) Moore and Thomas M. Moore on February 12, 1938 in Pittsburgh, PA. She grew up in a close-knit Italian family, living at first with her parents and siblings in the same house as her grandmother and some of her many aunts, uncles, and cousins, until her family moved to their own home a few blocks away. Throughout her life, Angela treasured close connections with the Irish and Italian sides of her extended family: from those in the United States to aunts, uncles, and cousins in Italy and Australia, with whom she stayed numerous times and maintained contact in between visits. In 1955, Angela graduated from St. Justin High School in Pittsburgh, PA, having been hand-picked by school faculty and administration for a scholarship to Mercyhurst College (now University) in Erie, PA, where she earned a B.S. in Education in 1959. In 1960, Angela became the first to graduate with a M.Ed. from the University of Pittsburgh’s nascent Special Education program, a distinction that filled her with pride. Angela taught second grade in the Erie, PA parochial schools, special education in the Pittsburgh Public Schools, and preschool at the First Presbyterian Church in Alliance, Ohio. Angela’s commitment to children and to education, particularly the education of children with special needs, was inspired by her younger sister Gemma, born with Down Syndrome and a source of great love and joy to the entire family. After their mother died in 1994, Angela became Gemma’s legal guardian and a second mother to her until Gemma’s death at age 64 in 2017. Besides her commitment to children and family, Angela was deeply devoted to her Roman Catholic faith. She was an active member of Regina Coeli Church, where she was a Lay Leader of Prayer, a member of The Catholic Woman’s Club where she served as president (2000-2002), and the Regina Coeli Altar and Rosary Society. She was also a member of the Regina Coeli Choir (1971-2005), the Infant of Prague Guild, and served as a sacristan for Regina Coeli for 40 years (through 2013). Angela was an avid reader and gardener, she adored decorating for and celebrating Christmas, and she always remembered friends and family with thoughtfully chosen cards for birthdays and special events. Angela also loved to travel, and in addition to many extended visits with relatives in Australia and Italy, enjoyed traveling to several European countries and many sacred Holy Land sites, as well as visits to a sponsored child in Costa Rica. In addition to her parents and sister Gemma, Angela was preceded in death by her brother Nicholas P. Moore. Angela was the beloved wife of Thomas H. Bishop, whom she married on August 4, 1962 at St. Justin Church in Pittsburgh, PA, the cherished mother of Kathleen M. Bishop (Jeff Robbins) of Pittsburgh, PA, and Thomas R. Bishop (Stacey Franks) of Knoxville, TN, and the dearly loved grandmother of Chiara Bishop-Robbins and Connor, Owen, and Kyla Bishop. She is also survived by her brother Joseph C. Moore, sisters- and brothers-in-law, and many nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Allegheny Valley School, Pittsburgh Campus, 1992 Ewings Mill Rd., Coraopolis, PA 15108. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, January 21, 2020, from 6:00 – 8:00 pm at Sharer-Stirling-Skivolocke Funeral Home. Her Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, January 22, 2020, at 11:00 am at Regina Coeli Catholic Church, with Rev. Joseph Ruggieri as celebrant. Burial will immediately follow at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery. You are invited to view Angela ‘s tribute wall, offer condolences and share memories at www.sharerfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are by the Sharer-Stirling-Skivolocke Funeral Home. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Angela Maria Bishop please visit our Sympathy Store.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Angela Maria Bishop February 12 1938 January 16 2020.
Death notice for the town of: Alliance, state: Ohio