1944-2026
Elizabeth Ann Villella, 81, of Punxsutawney, passed away on Tuesday, April 14, 2026 at Punxsutawney Area Hospital.
She was born at home in Cloe, on August 5, 1944, a daughter of the late Thomas William Taylor and Frances Aldine (Witherow) Taylor.
On May 4, 1963, she married Lester Anthony Villella. They enjoyed nearly sixty-three years of marriage and raised a family.
Ann enjoyed working at her various jobs and spent many years at each which included Owens-Brockway, Charlie Miller Machine and finally retiring after eighteen years at Star Iron Works.
She loved and appreciated the time spent with her family, particularly her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Ann’s passion was riding bike, where she found her greatest joy on two wheels, where the world seemed to fade with every turn of the pedals. Riding her bike “made her feel like a kid again”. It was a time when life felt lighter, and happiness could be found in something as simple as the open trail ahead. She also enjoyed gardening, beaming with pride winning the Punxsutawney Garden Club Garden of the Month in June 2025. She enjoyed spending time outdoors, she adored her newly erected grape arbor and watching it develop over time. She had a kind heart for animals, particularly dogs, especially her buddy Scooter.
In addition to Lester, she is survived by two children, Melanie (Kirby) Starr of Punxsutawney and Damon (Marsha) Villella of Sarver; six grandchildren, Madison (Kristen) Shobert of Indiana, Rose Shobert of Punxsutawney, Logan Taylor Villella of Sarver, Brock Anthony Villlella of Sarver, Gretchen Villella of Nebraska, and Jesse Tobias “Toby” Villella of Sarver; five great grandchildren, Clementine Rose, Serena Elizabeth Ann, Noah, Adda and Mason. She was preceded in death by her loving son Kevin T Villella.
Ann was the last of her immediate Taylor family, she is preceded in death by her parents, two sisters, infant Frances Taylor and Diana Bair; four brothers, William E. Taylor, David A. Taylor, Thomas P. Taylor and John M. Taylor.
Friends will be received 2-4 and 5-7 p.m. Friday, April 17, 2026, at Shumaker Funeral Home, Inc., Punxsutawney.
A funeral mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday at Saints Cosmas and Damian Catholic Church, officiated by Monsignor Joseph Riccardo.
Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery.
The family invites everyone to join them for a luncheon directly following mass at Saints Cosmas and Damian in the Msgr. Wienker Hall.
Memorial donations may be made in Ann’s memory to a local humane society.
Online condolences may be made at www.shumakerfh.com
