Leona "Kay" Catherine Glacken

Glacken - Leona Catherine (also known as Kay) Glacken, 89, East Taylor Township. Born May 21, 1931 in New Germany, PA, went to be with Jesus on March 14, 2021 while receiving palliative care at the Good Samaritan Building of Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center in Johnstown, PA.   Kay was the daughter of Magnus Theobald and Sarah Adelaide (Noon) Werfel (both deceased).  She was preceded in death by her late husband (of 69 years) Harry D. Glacken, Sr.   She is survived by her 4 sons:  Harry D. Jr. and his wife Jean (Ingraham) of Smyrna DE, Carl W. Sr. of Loretto PA, Mark A. of Newark DE and Dale B. and his fiancé Janice James of Harrisburg PA.  Survivors include 7 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her siblings Betty, Grace, Joseph, Ronald, Shirley, Roberta and Peter.  She is survived by her sister Delores (Werfel) Skrout.  Kay lost her father at a young age of 13 and began working at Duffy’s General Store to help her mother support the family, and during her last two years of high school she also worked as a housekeeper in Westmont.  A graduate of South Fork High School, she then went on to marry Harry in Cumberland, MD.  Upon returning home from WWII, dad became aware that the demand for steel production had diminished.  Dad learned about an opening for a diesel mechanic position to maintain the generators for the communication systems in Hawaii.  Six months into the re-enlistment, the Korean conflict emerged and redirected the troops stationed in Hawaii.  Kay returned to live with Harry’s parents and was employed by Olbum’s, taking on the tasks of upholstering furniture and making custom draperies.  Later, she worked at Bestform as a seamstress for 17 years.  Kay was an active member of the Summit Chapel United Methodist Church where she was the communion steward for many years.  She was also the treasurer of Summit Chapel Women’s group that held many fundraising events selling their renowned baked goods and prepared meals.  When Kay’s sons were young, she was a Cub Scout Den Mother for Troop 205.  Kay enjoyed being part of the Girls Needle and Thread Sewing Club along with dabbling in many other crafts and hobbies, including crocheting, knitting, sewing, quilting, gardening, canning and homemade crafted wine.  She researched, authored and published three family genealogy albums (e.g. Werfel, Noon, and lastly Finnegan Crilley Glacken & Sweeney) which were quite extensive and noteworthy.  She was very well known for her homemade chocolate dipped candy of which her family affectionately called “Kay’s Candy Kitchen.” Kay and Harry built their own home from the ground up.  The family enjoyed many camping trips to various places, but they normally went to Tub Run Campground at Youghiogheny Lake.  Kay was instrumental in teaching her sons mathematical skills, enabling them to later have successful careers in various fields of the sciences. After her husband Harry retired, she helped him build his “Gooseytown” model railroad village which included replicas of her son’s homes and many other fine details.  Her final resting place will be next to her beloved husband at the Wesley Chapel Cemetery in East Taylor Twp, PA.  Friends will be received from 3-7 p.m. on Friday at the Baker-Harris Funeral Chapel, 229-231 First Street, Conemaugh and from 10 a.m. until time of service at 11 a.m. on Saturday at Summit Chapel United Methodist Church, Rev. John E. Ciampa, officiating. Interment will be at Wesley Chapel Cemetery. The family suggests contributions be directed to Summit Chapel United Methodist Church, 2142 William Penn Ave, Johnstown, PA 15909 in memory of Leona. Online condolences may be posted to www.wharrisfuneralhome.com. The family asks visitors to please follow proper COVID protocol by wearing a mask and using social distancing guidelines.