Carole Ruch Watkins

Carole Ruch Watkins, 85, of Carroll Township, PA, died Friday, February 14, 2020 in Jefferson Regional Hospital after a lingering illness.

She was born Saturday, June 16, 1934, in Altoona, PA, a daughter of the late Claude and Edna (Shomo) Ruch.

The family moved shortly to Pittsburgh where Carole graduated from Oakland Catholic High School and enrolled in Carlow University (then Mt. Mercy College) graduating in 1956 with a BS in Nursing.  While there, she served an internship at Falk Clinic under Dr. Jonas Salk.

Mrs. Watkins earned a M.Ed. Degree from California University in 1977.

For 16 years Mrs. Watkins and her husband Dr. John Pierce Watkins served as First Lady and President at California University of Pennsylvania.

Left to cherish her memory are her husband of 62 years Dr. John P. Watkins of Charleroi; son, John G. Watkins and wife Amy of Monongahela; daughter, Jennifer Watkins (John Soares) of Fredericksburg, VA and her beloved grandson, Jacob Watkins of Monongahela.

She was preceded in death by her precious grandson, John Brooks Watkins, her sister Rita Shields, and her brother Claude Ruch.

Friends will be received in the Mariscotti Funeral Home, Inc., Anthony N. Mariscotti, Supervisor, 323 Fourth Street, California, PA on Tuesday February 18, 2020 from 2-4 and 6-8 pm and until 10:15 am on Wednesday when prayers of transfer will be said in the funeral home followed by an 11 am Mass of Christian Burial in St. Andrew the Apostle, Charleroi Campus with Fr. Kevin Dominik as Celebrant.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to The Foundation for Cal U, 250 University Avenue, California, PA 15419.  Please put John Brooks Watkins in the memo line of your check. Donations will support a library fund established to provide English course text access to Cal U students.

To sign the register book or leave condolences please visit mariscottifuneralhome.com

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