Maria Frances Felty, 91, of Lebanon, PA, died on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026, at the Hershey Medical Center. She was the wife of the late Jay A. Felty, with whom she shared 63 years of marriage.
Born in Reading, PA, on Oct. 7, 1934, Maria was the only daughter and oldest child of the late Thomas J. and Elizabeth (Janucik) Serba. A 1952 graduate of Lebanon Catholic School, she unknowingly embarked on a life’s career in dentistry that same year, starting out as the assistant to Dr. Charles Lazin. At Dr. Lazin’s, she met a patient named Jay who asked her on a date, went on to study dentistry at Temple, and married her in July 1957. Her career as a dental assistant moved from Dr. Lazin to Dr. Felty, where she was also a member of the Dental Auxiliary of Lebanon, until she retired in 2000.
Maria was a lifelong, faithful Catholic and strove to live her faith in daily life. As such, she taught first-grade Sunday school at St. Gregory the Great Church for 25 years and served as a den mother for Cub Scout Pack 83 for several years while her boys were young. She shared her time and talents with Liturgy and Confirmation Preparation committees, RCIA at both St. Gregory and later St. Cecilia Church, Evangelization 2000, and Church Renewal Retreat teams. Sharing her love of reading, she was a Literary Council volunteer, and at the behest of her husband, joined him in the Polka Pals of Lebanon from the group’s earliest days onward. Maria’s favorite ministry, though, was as Lector, which she joyfully carried out for both St. Gregory the Great and later St. Cecilia parishes. Reading was not only her passion, but she felt it was her God-given talent, and in this way, hoped to glorify Him.
Maria is survived by her brother, Joseph T. Serba, husband of Margaret; son, Dana Felty, husband of Joyce; daughter, Janine Jonovich, wife of Christopher; daughter-in-law, Gina Felty; grandchildren, Nathan Felty, Justin Felty, Emily Felty, Wade Felty, Christina Felty, partner of Stuart Knox, Schuyler Felty, husband of Angela, Kevin Felty, husband of Sarah, Chase Zserai, Christa Felty, and Levi Felty; great-grandson, Evan Keller; three nieces; and three nephews. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her son, Paul Felty; nephew, Marc Earp; and brother, Thomas J. Serba Jr.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, at St. Cecilia’s Church, 120 E. Lehman St., Lebanon, PA 17046. Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery. Visitation will be held prior to Mass from 10-11 a.m. in the church.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Maria’s name may be made to Our Lady of the Cross School, 1691 Grace Ave., Lebanon, PA 17046, or St. Cecilia Church at the above address. Thompson Funeral Home Inc. is entrusted with the arrangements. The family welcomes your memories and messages in Thompson Funeral Home’s online guest book at thompsonfuneralhomelebanon.com.
