Ana Rosa Mallah

Ana Rosa Mallah, 95, who lived most of her life in New York City, died Thursday, September 12, 2019, at ManorCare Health Services – Camp Hill. Daughter of the late James Michael Theodore McRae and Berta (Grant) McRae, both from Jamaica, Ana was born on July 19, 1924 in Limon, Costa Rica. After working in her family’s drug store for years, Ana came to the United States in 1962.

She was a talented seamstress, working in clothing factories and sewing privately for herself and others. In 1968, she met, and soon married, Eli Mallah, a Jewish bartender at New York’s Sherry Netherland Hotel. She wore a wedding dress that she made herself as a small group of friends and family members attended their inter-racial, inter-faith marriage officiated by a judge. Eli died suddenly in 1971, leaving Ana a widow with their infant daughter.

Ana was a devoted and resourceful mother. Parenting came naturally to her even though she didn't start until age 45. She was calm and kind and silly and encouraging. Ana was consistently present, emotionally and physically, without frustration or fanfare. It never occurred to her that she should be intimidated by others' wealth or ashamed of her relative "poverty." She brought quiet confidence, enthusiasm and practical skills to any and every opportunity that might help her daughter succeed. “Mrs. Mallah” was the perpetual parent volunteer, still remembered by many Gen X friends for her participation in school events and attendance at dance performances throughout the ‘70s and ‘80s.

Ana is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Drs. Karen Mallah and Paul Moore; her granddaughter, Blake Eliana Jolie Mallah; a pen pal that she kept in touch with for almost 80 years; and extended family throughout the United States and Costa Rica.

A viewing will be held from 10-11AM on Tuesday, September 17, 2019 at Church of the Good Shepherd, Camp Hill. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 11AM. Immediately following services at the Church, a burial will take place in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Mechanicsburg.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Ana’s name to the following organizations: Messiah Lifeways Community Support Services (messiahlifeways.org/giving/donate), whose Adult Day Program took wonderful care of Ana daily when she lived in Camp Hill, PA and/or the Hug Fund (hugfund.org/donate) for ManorCare employees experiencing sudden financial hardship.