Veronica Pacella, aged 67, passed away after a courageous six-year battle with cancer on August 31,2024. A dedicated community leader, journalist, and library advocate, she leaves behind a legacy of service and commitment to her hometown of Ellwood City.
Born on May 12,1957 to Arthur and Edith (Rocco) Pacella, she was a proud graduate of Lincoln High School, Class of 1975. Veronica furthered her education at Slippery Rock University, graduating in 1979. Her professional journey began at the Ellwood City Ledger, where she quickly made history as the youngest and first woman editor of the newspaper in 1981 . A position she would have for almost 20 years.
After leaving the Ledger, she fulfilled a lifelong dream of opening “The Bookseller” book store in Zelienople, where she shared her love of literature with the community. After the bookstore closed, she spent a short time as a teller at ESB Bank in Zelienople.
In 2002, she became the director of the Ellwood City Area Public Library. Under her leadership, the library not only moved to its current location but also flourished as a hub of community engagement and education. The challenge of completing this project and doing so without the library having to incur the burden of a mortgage was among her proudest career achievements.
During her 20-year tenure as director, her efforts were recognized statewide. The Ellwood City Area Public Library has been the recipient of five Best Practices Awards from the Pennsylvania Library Association for early learning and early development programs, as well as a David J. Roberts EXCEL Library Service Award, and earning national recognition for its programs
in 2023.
Love of the written word was a constant theme in her life. Her passion for books and reading drove her to inspire a whole new generation of readers through the programs she helped to create at the library. That generation, and the generations they will raise instilled with a love of reading, is her greatest legacy that she leaves behind.
Veronica was preceded in death by both of her parents and her beloved pet dog Trevor.
She is survived by her loving family: sister Rosalind, brother John, nephews Jeremy and Daniel (Emily), and great niece Caroline, to whom she was the godmother.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, September 4th, 2024 from 11:00 a.m. until the time of Blessing Service at 12:30p.m. at the Samuel Teolis Funeral Home and Crematory Inc., wit Father Jim Wehner officiating. Interment will be at the Holy Redeemer Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to the Ellwood City Area Public Library (ECAPL) to continue her passion for promoting literacy and education. Donations can be made at: www.ellwoodcitylibrary.com
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