Nancy H. (Halloran) Centra

Nancy Halloran Centra, age 89, of Pottsville, PA, formerly of Pennington, NJ and Manlius, NY passed away on Thursday, February 16, 2023 at Providence Place Retirement Community in Pottsville. Born in Buffalo, NY on January 30, 1934, she was the daughter of the late James and Ottilie (Pawlak) Halloran. Nancy graduated from Buffalo State College and received a master’s degree from Syracuse University, where she returned three decades later to earn a PhD as a working mother. Nancy’s career included some memorable times, such as spending a year teaching special ed on a US Army base in Germany in the 1950’s and teaching at Buffalo State. She ended her career as a special education administrator for the Baldwinsville School District, NY. Nancy was known for her beautiful smile, impeccable style and most of all her love for family. Her biggest joy was being a wife, mother, and grandmother. Nancy loved celebrating big and small holidays, being with family and friends, and traveling, especially with her late husband who passed away in December 2021. She is preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, John A. Centra, her parents James and “Tillie” Halloran, and her four siblings, Patricia Laychak , Mary Goergen, James and Terence Halloran. She is survived by three daughters: Catherine “Cathy” Coyle and her husband Timothy, Pottsville; Elizabeth “Liza” Corso and her husband, Jonathan, Decatur, GA; and Joan Centra, Avondale Estates, GA; four grandchildren: Ryan, Patrick, and Catie Coyle and Sam Corso; sisters-in-law: Anne Ormond, Levittown, NY, Nancy Miller and Marlene Centra Smith, both of Herkimer, NY; and many beloved nieces, nephews, and extended family. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. John the Baptist Church in Pottsville at 11 am on Saturday, February 25, with Monsignor Edward Coyle officiating. Relatives and friends are invited to a viewing on Friday evening 6-8 pm and Saturday morning, 10-11 am at the church. Following the mass, interment will be held in the St John the Baptist No. 2 Cemetery in Pottsville. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Pentagon Memorial Fund in memory of Nancy’s nephew and godson, David Laychak. Robert A Evans Jr. Funeral Home in Port Carbon is in charge of arrangements. www.robertaevansjrfh.com