Rosemary Cessna, 71, of State College passed away on Thursday April 16, 2026 at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville after a massive heart attack.
Rosemary was born on July 13, 1954 in Lewistown to the late Sterl L. and Betty Price. She married her beloved husband, Joseph Abraham Cessna 3rd at Our Lady of Victory Church in State College, and they enjoyed 51 years of marriage together.
Rosemary is survived by two children: Joseph A. Cessna 5th (Megan) of Millheim and Aleigha R. Gresh (Robert) of State College and five grandchildren: Kylee, Mason, Adeline, Zoe, and Theodore. She was predeceased by one infant son, Joseph A. Cessna 4th, who she has reunited with in heaven. She was predeceased by two siblings: Darlene “Dolly” (Charlie) Breon and Sterl “Buck” R.A. Price, and is survived by five siblings: Betty Lou (Harold) Morgan, Ella Jane (Wendy) Williams, Cindy Sue (Wayne) Lowery, Clyde (Jane) Price, and John (Diane) Price.
She graduated from State College Area High School in 1972 and spent most of her working years at Jostens Yearbook Co. and as an administrative assistant at Re/Max Centre Realty. She most loved spending time with her family, namely taking day trips and enjoying classic cars with her husband and playing with her grandchildren. She developed the same love of flowers and sipping coffee on the porch that her mother had, and found joy in worshiping Jesus, reading the Bible, and baking delicious cakes for her grandchildren’s birthdays. She spent her childhood enjoying farm life with her vivacious siblings. She was a beautifully selfless woman who naturally brought joy, safety, and cozy comfort to everyone around her through laughter, hugs, and her family-famous potato salad.
The family would like to thank the E.R. staff at Mount Nittany Hospital, the Life Flight Crew, and the doctors and nurses at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville who worked so hard in an effort to sustain her life.
There will be a closed (family only) visitation and funeral service at Koch Funeral Home (2401 S Atherton Street, State College PA) from 10:15am-12:00pm on Wednesday, April 22 2026 followed by an open (public) gravesite committal service at Centre County Memorial Park (1032 Benner Pike, State College) at 12:15pm.