Rose Mary Hagadus

HAGADUS - Rose Mary, 84; Westmont Boro., died January 4, 2022 at Laurelwood Care Center.  Born February 13, 1937 in Johnstown, daughter of Andrew F. and Elizabeth (Tkach) Rok.  Preceded in death by parents; husband, Arthur Hagadus; and brother, Anthony Albert Rok.  Survived by sister-in-law, Jacqueline Rok of Myersville, MD; Nieces, Milissa Kirkwood (MD), Nancy Green (ME), Francesca Hagadus (NY), Claudia Hagadus Long (CA); Nephews, Christopher Rok (WY), Daniel Oppenheim (Mexico), and Richard Oppenheim (NJ); and godson, Robert Nathan. Also survived by family friends,  Billie Ann Murphy, Lida Hood and her husband, Ron; Along with Tess Peterson, Dolores Kasper, Pat Korchnak, and her many close friends at the Community Arts Center. While still a high school student at Johnstown High School, Rose Mary got a summer job at Lantos Drugstore in Morrellville, working with her future husband, Arthur. They were married soon after she completed her B.A. degree at the University of Pittsburgh, in 1959. Among their many friends locally and around the world, the couple was known to be deeply devoted to each other. That same year, she and Arthur opened the Studio Book Shop at Market and Locust Streets in Johnstown. Ten years later, they sold the store and moved to Connecticut, where they expanded the Hickory Stick Bookshop into a five-store chain. In 1976, the Hagaduses returned to Johnstown and joined Mafex Associates, Inc., which specialized in educational materials for exceptional children. Rose Mary edited children's books there, while Arthur became manager of the Mafex Book & Learning Center, a bookstore combining educational materials with reading and reference stock. After she left Mafex, Rose Mary served as Treasurer of the Board of Directors of the Community Arts Center and then as Executive Director of the Community Arts Center of Cambria County for 34 years, and was instrumental in shaping it into the organization it is today. Under her direction, the arts center experienced growth with its Log House Arts Festival and Holly Bazaar. She also was directly involved with the building of the Goldhaber-Fend Fine Arts Building and the Ponus Doll Museum. She retired from the Community Arts Center of Cambria County In 2015. She was a strong supporter of the arts in the community, including the Johnstown Symphony Orchestra, and a strong advocate for all the arts of the Johnstown area. A celebration of life will be held Sunday at 3:00 p.m. February 13th, 2022 at the Community Arts Center of Cambria County. If you are interested in attending please RSVP with the Community Arts Center of Cambria County by Friday, February 7th, 2022.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Community Arts Center of Cambria County in her memory.

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