It is with sad hearts, that we announce the death of Margaret Johanna (Kigerl) Newak at the age of 97. 

She was born and raised in Forest City, PA, the daughter of Fred and Florence (Robinson) Kigerl. This dear wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, embarked on her final journey to reunite with her Lord and savior on May 24, 2026. She was amidst the love of her family as she left her earthly home.

Her parents, brothers; Robert & Fred Kigerl Jr. and husband, Captain Harry G. Newak preceded her in death.

Our mother will never be forgotten by her children, Michele & Philip Biondo, Deborah & James Biondo, Michael & Patricia (Ward) Newak, 16 Grandchildren and 39 Great Grandchildren.

Margaret graduated from Forest City High School in 1946 and attended the Wyoming Seminary Business School in Forty Fort, PA, receiving an Associate’s degree. She then became employed by Fairview State Hospital until she met her husband, Harry.

After marriage, they settled in Bloomfield, NJ where she was an active member of the community belonging to the Allwood Woman’s Club for 25 years. For 10 years, she was employed by a Family Resource Center as an interviewer for television commercial candidates.

On return to her hometown of Forest City in 1985, she became the secretary/treasurer of Hometown Ventures that she and her husband formed when they purchased the local Beer Distributorship. She joined the former Forest City Business and Professional Woman’s Club where she was a member for 21 years when it disbanded. “Peggy” volunteered at the Forest City Senior Center and was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the American Legion of Forest City and Marian Community Hospital Auxiliary. She also became a lifetime member of the Rail-Trail Council and served on the board of directors. But her energy didn’t stop there. She was a member of the NEPA Association for the Blind and volunteer for the American Cancer Society Daffodil Days and an American Red Cross volunteer for the Forest City and Carbondale chapters. She was also a charter member of the Forest City Historical Society.

Living in Greenfield Township she became a member of the Newton Lake Association, the Ladies Auxiliary of the Greenfield Township Fire Company and The Greenfield Township Historical Society. Her wardrobe included many red hats, as she became a member of two local Red Hat Societies.

Over her lifetime, Peggy’s hobbies included golf, bowling, cross country skiing, painting, horseback riding, swimming, ice skating, and crafting.

She was a faithful parishioner of St. John Vianney Parish, St. Pius Church in Royal and a member of the Altar and Rosary Society.

The family extends their gratitude to the staff at Traditional Home Health care for the kind and tender care she received from them for many years.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday, June 1, 2026, at 11:00am at St. Joseph’s Church, 741 Delaware Street, Forest City. Interment in Our Mother of Sorrows Cemetery, Greenfield Twp. Visitation will be held Monday at the church from 10:00 to 11:00am. Arrangements are through the Kevin M. Lesjack Funeral Home, 513 Main Street, Forest City.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed “In memory of Margaret Newak” to the Forest City Historical Society or Traditional Home Health Care.