Margaret (O'Neil) Kraus

September 4, 1961 - February 12, 2017

Margaret O'Neil Kraus, 55, of Hopewell Township, passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 12th, 2017, after a courageous 3 ½ year battle with breast cancer, surrounded by her loving family.Mrs. Kraus was born on September 4th, 1961, daughter of the late Robert and Janet (Anderson) O'Neil of Rochester, PA. Margaret was the loving wife of Norman Kraus, Jr. whom she married July 12th, 1986 and celebrated 30 years of marriage last summer. Margaret also had three children whom she loved dearly; Andy of Brentwood, PA., Susie of Morocco, Africa and Justin, who attends Slippery Rock University.Margaret is survived by three brothers and sisters-in-law, Cliff O'Neil and Alice O'Neil, McDonald, PA; Guy and Maureen O'Neil, Meadville, PA. and Dan and Missy O'Neil, Brighton Township, PA. She also had a sister and brother-in law; Molly and Joe Lisciandro, Bradenton, FL. And a sister, Kathy of Economy, PA.Margaret also had three sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law; Lucy and Nick Aquilante, Glassport, PA., Linda and Keith Marich, Hopewell Township and Lisa and Bill Scalercio, Sewickley, PA.Margaret also took pride in the fact that she had 10 nieces and 6 nephews, as well as 18 great nieces and nephews, whom she all treasured. Her children: Andy, Susie and Justin were Margaret's pride and joy. She took great pride in being a wonderful mother to them, as well as a loving and tremendously supportive wife to Norm.In addition to her parents, Margaret was also preceded in death by her father-in-law andmother-in-law: Norman Kraus, Sr. and Dolores M. Kraus. Mrs. Kraus was a 1979 graduate of Rochester High School and graduated in 1981 with an Associate?s Degree as a Medical Assistant from Gannon University. Margaret was a member of Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Hopewell Township. She was a member of the Our Lady of Fatima Athletic Association and was past President of the Athletic Association.Margaret was employed as an Administrative Assistant with Beaver Internal Medicine Associates for the last 10 years. She loved her job. Margaret valued and treasured the friendships she had with each employee at the practice.Running was a favorite pastime for Margaret and she said many times that once she reached Heaven, all she wanted to do was run and run.She took special pride in being creative and making many different kinds of crafts, which she proudly donated to friends and family. She loved doing crafts and also loved creating fancy birthday cakes for friends and family. It was another of Margaret's special talents.She always looked forward to the Christmas holiday each year to bake her many variety of Christmas cookies and give them away to family and friends. One and all always waited anxiously for Margaret's cookies each Christmas.Special thanks go out to her Oncologist, Dr. William Ferri and the staff at the Medical Center Oncology Clinic. A heartfelt thanks goes out to Margaret?s personal care physician and boss at work, Dr. Matthew Wright. Finally, Margaret wanted Norm to make sure and single out Catholic Hospice, whose staff did a phenomenal job taking care of Margaret the last few weeks of her life.Friends will be received Wednesday from 6 to 9 p.m. and Thursday from 1 till 4 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. at ANTHONY MASTROFRANSESCO FUNERAL HOME, INC. 2026 McMinn St., Aliquippa, 724-375-0496. Departing prayers will begin Friday at 9:30 a.m. in the funeral home followed by a Mass of Christian burial at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of Fatima Church in Hopewell Township with Father Howard Campbell officiating.In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations in Margaret's name be made to Our Lady of Fatima Catholic School, 3005 Fatima Drive, Aliquippa, PA. 15001.