Michelle “Shelly” Elaine (Baer) LaCivita
Age 59, of Tallahassee, FL, formerly of Penn Hills, PA, passed away peacefully at home with her family on October 24, 2022. She was the beloved wife of Dr. Bob LaCivita; loving mother of Bryan C. LaCivita; daughter of the late Charles and Genevieve Baer; sister of Michael (Sandy) Baer; sister-in-law of Judie (Gary) Schneider and of the late Tom LaCivita; and daughter-in-law of the late Peter and Gilda LaCivita.
Michelle graduated from Penn Hills High School in 1981, where she was a majorette. She received her bachelor’s degree in business from the University of Pittsburgh where she was a member of the Pitt band as a Golden Girl for three years. Michelle began her career working for six years at Society Bank in the Akron, OH, area. She worked as a teacher’s aide for Green Hope Elementary School in Cary, NC, for four years and was a program aide at Lawton Chiles Elementary School in Gainesville, FL, for eight years.
She loved college football, the beach, word and trivia games, Christmas decorating, and baking. Yet, her greatest passion was taking care of her family.
She will be greatly missed by all of her nieces and nephews: Jennifer (Bob) Turner; Kristin (Josh) Mathew; Deena (AnJey) Su; Greg Schneider; Brad (Katie) Schneider; Marc (Savannah) Schneider; Christina LaCivita. Great nieces and nephews: Jak and Bret, Brandon and Ben, Kaden and Elena.
Michelle was the bravest person we knew. She fought cancer valiantly for sixteen years to be with all of us till the very end. Now she is with the Lord and her eternal family.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society --https://www.lls.org/ways-to-give or PO Box 98018, Washington, DC 20090-8018.
Friends will be received at William F. Gross Funeral Home, LTD., 11735 Frankstown Rd. (at Rodi Rd.) Penn Hills, on Friday, November 4, 2022 from 9:30 a.m. until the time of funeral prayers at 11:30 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at Christ the Divine Shepherd Parish St. Susanna Church, 200 Stotler Rd., Penn Hills at 12 p.m.
Mildred “Millie” “Moo-Moo” Gonnella
Age 91, of Penn Hills, formerly of Larimer Ave., passed away peacefully at home in her sleep on Thursday, October 20, 2022. Beloved wife of the late John L.; mother of Joseph, Anthony (Michele), and the late Leonard Gonnella; grandmother, more affectionately known as Me Ma to Gabrielle and Briana; sister of Susie Olivo and the late Peggy Perla and Rosemary Tedesco; also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. She was a loving mother and grandmother and longtime member of Mother of Good Counsel. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to St. Jude Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
Friends will be received at William F. Gross Funeral Home, LTD., 11735 Frankstown Rd. (at Rodi Rd.) Penn Hills, on Monday, October 24, 2022 from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Funeral Prayers will be held at the funeral home on Tuesday, October 25, 2022 at 9:30 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at Mother of Good Counsel Church St. Mary Magdalene Parish, 7705 Bennett Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15208 at 10 a.m.
Anthony M. (Tony) DeLuca
State Representative Anthony (Tony) DeLuca on Sunday, October 9, 2022 was called to his Heavenly home where he was reunited with his beautiful wife Connie of 66 years. His legacy is one of strong and protected love of his family and of a deep commitment to the constituents of Penn Hills, Verona, Plum, and Blawnox whom he proudly served for 38 years. He is survived by his children Debbie (Chris) Brinker, Larry (Tina), Michele (Bud) Joyce, and Honorable Judge Anthony (Beth), his nine grandchildren Anthony (Anjelyque), Emily, Ashley, Joseph (Andrea), Nicholas (Ali), Olivia (Gabe), Christina, Zachary (Kait), and Michael, his great-grandchildren Bella, Ellie, and Julia, with one more expected in April, and his in-laws Alice, Suzanne, Margaret, and Jack; he was predeceased by his parents Lawrence and Katherine, and his brother Larry (Judy); also survived by Ken and RuthAnn Ladrew whom he dearly loved. Tony was a proud native of East Liberty and his Italian heritage and was a co-founder and eventual longtime chairman of the State Legislative Italian-American caucus. Along with his father and brother, he operated DeLuca’s Meat Market famous for its hot sausage. Prior to being elected to the House of Representatives, he served his beloved Penn Hills as councilman and Deputy Mayor. His annual summer picnic was not to be missed and was attended by thousands. Tony believed in treating all fairly with respect and compassion. He loved his family and his country and will be truly missed. The family would like to thank doctors Morgan Flaherty, Ricci A. Manilla, and Rafic Farah for their professional expertise and kindness. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation in his name to Hillman Cancer Center, 5115 Center Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15232.
Friends will be received at William F. Gross Funeral Home, LTD., 11735 Frankstown Rd. (at Rodi Rd.) Penn Hills, on Wednesday, October 12, 2022 from 2-8 p.m. Funeral Prayers will be held at the funeral home on Thursday, October 13, 2022 at 9:30 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at Holy Family Parish, St. Joseph Church, 825 Second St., Verona, PA 15147 at 10:30 a.m.
Cathleen Ann (Wilson) Fitzroy
Age 51, of Plum Boro, formerly of Penn Hills, passed away at home with her family at her side on Tuesday, October 18, 2022. Cathy was born on August 7, 1971 in Penn Hills, daughter of Alice (Cookie) Wilson and the late William; daughter-in-law of Ed and Sandy Fitzroy; she is survived by her loving husband Michael and beloved daughter Meghan, her siblings, Susan Just, William (Deneen), James (Susan), Robert, Michael (Tracey), Patricia Nicassio (Ralph), Terri Loughran, and John (Molly), and nineteen nieces and nephews; sister-in-law of Michelle Giarusso (Mike)
She was a graduate of Penn Hills High School and Duquesne University where she graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelors in Education. Cathy taught in the Penn Hills School District for 20 years. She was dedicated to forming minds of young children and she spent many hours of her own time getting her classroom prepared.
Cathy was a devoted mother, wife, daughter, sister, and aunt. She loved her dogs Daisy and Pudgy. She took great pleasure in helping others and making people feel special.
Cathy was a VIP in every sense of the word and made out like 10 bandits every year on her birthday and Christmas.
Friends will be received at William F. Gross Funeral Home, LTD., 11735 Frankstown Rd. (at Rodi Rd.) Penn Hills, on Friday, October 21, 2022 from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Funeral Prayers will be held at the funeral home on Saturday, October 22, 2022 at 9:45 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at Holy Family Parish, St. John the Baptist Church, 444 St. John Street, Plum, PA 15239 at 10:30 a.m.
Mary Anne (Moran) Vidmar
Passed away on Monday, October 3, 2022 surrounded by her loving family. She was predeceased by her husband Calvin C. Vidmar, mother Lydia Mae DeMann, fathers Charles Edward Moran, and Frederick Lawrence DeMann, sister Patricia Frances Noonan, brother James Edward Moran, and sister Anna Margaret Hammond. Born in Maryland and raised in Pittsburgh, she attended Epiphany School, St. Mary’s High School, and Stephen’s College in Missouri.
She was the first secretary for the Pittsburgh Pediatric Society. She started the Tumor Registry at Magee and Children’s Hospitals. She was Assistant Director of Medical Records at Presbyterian University Hospital. She developed health record departments at Allegheny East MH/MR and Blackburn’s Medical Supply. She was an avid golfer with hobbies like woodworking, drawing, painting, and reading.
Mary Anne will always be loved and deeply missed by her daughters Kathleen and Gail who cherished her love and caring throughout the years and especially missed by her ever caring and favorite niece, Gerri Cook, whom she loved dearly.
Mary Anne was the most kind, dependable, and gracious family member. There was no obstacle for herself or for others that her determination and attitude could not prevail. She will always be in the minds and hearts of those who loved her. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to your local library.
A private mass was held at Christ the Divine Shepherd Parish, St. Bernadette Church. She was laid to rest at Plum Creek Cemetery.