Mary Therese (Knoll) Geibel

Mary Therese Knoll Geibel, 91, of Chicora, peacefully departed Monday morning, July 27, 2020, while surrounded by her family at her home after a brief battle with merkel cell carcinoma.

Born at the family home in Chicora on February 7, 1929, Mary was the third of twelve children of Frank and Mary Black Knoll.  Mary was of the Catholic faith and was a lifelong member of St. Patrick’s Parish, both in Sugarcreek and Brady’s Bend.

Mary was a graduate of Chicora High School Class of 1947.  She married George A. “Pete” Geibel on June 28, 1948 at Mater Dolorosa Roman Catholic Church in Chicora.  After over 54 years together, Pete passed away on March 30, 2003.

Mary was a true matriarch, blessed with the gift of hospitality, a kind heart, and a gentle spirit.  Any visitor to her home had a seat at her table and a meal to share.  Mary was famous for hosting the annual donut day on Shrove Tuesday, where many would have a grand time.  She was also known for always having something sweet to offer the great grandkids when they visited her and was affectionately called “Grandma Candy”.

Mary had a love of music and enjoyed hearing her family play music and was often known to sing along with “You Are My Sunshine” and “My Wild Irish Rose”.

Above all, Mary had a very strong faith in the Lord and has imparted her strong faith on to her family.  She is survived by her children, Karen Thompson and her husband, Ron, of Butler, Elaine Peth and her husband, Ron, of Renfrew, George “Dan” Geibel of Kittanning, Dennis Geibel and his wife, Darlene, of Chicora; a daughter-in-law, Donna Geibel and her husband, Brad Koshland, of Florida; 14 grandchildren, 30 great grandchildren, and one great great grandson; her siblings, Bernadette Huefner of Franklin, Betty Neff of Butler, Tom Knoll and his wife, Toni, of Chicora, Father Lester Knoll, OFM Cap. of Herman; her sisters-in-law, Patricia Knoll, Anna Marie Knoll and Shirley Geibel.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband, George A. “Pete” Geibel, her son, James “Jim” Geibel, a granddaughter, Megan Peth, a great granddaughter, Paisley Geibel, stillborn great grandbabies, Keegan Geibel and Renee Peth; her siblings, Agnes Pfaff, Monica Glynn, Rita Barnhart, Father Charles Knoll, OFM Cap., Ed Knoll, John Knoll, and an infant brother, Francis Knoll.

Friends will be received at the Hile Funeral Home of Chicora, 339 Chicora Fenelton Rd., Chicora, from 4 – 8 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday from 9 – 10:00 a.m. on the grounds of St. Patrick Log Church in Sugarcreek Twp. where a Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. with Mary’s brother, Father Lester Knoll, OFM Cap., celebrant.  Interment will be beside her husband at St. Patrick Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to Good Samaritan Hospice, 134 Marwood Rd., Cabot, PA 16023.  Condolences may be sent by visiting www.hilefh.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mary Therese (Knoll) Geibel, please visit our floral store.