Obituaries

Violet Mae “Gigi” Kelly, 80, of Neshannock Township passed away Saturday, September 14, 2024. Born March 10, 1944 in New Castle, she was the daughter of the late Leroy W. Blashak and Elsie McClain Blashak Goodland. She was married to James F. Kelly when he passed away on July 21, 1993. Violet worked as a private duty nurse’s aide at the Golden Hill Nursing Home and St. Francis Hospital. She loved to bake, sew, craft, and listen to music. Her most cherished moments were with her family. Survivors include daughter, Roxane (Fiance William Ferguson) Kelly with whom she resided; son,…

Rose Marie (DiMasi) Fox died peacefully August 30, 2024 at age 86, in Salt Lake City, UT. Rose was born in Ellwood City, PA, to Patsy and Jenny DiMasi on 4/26/1938. She attended Lincoln High School and in 1962, married Edward Fox, a “bad boy” who made her laugh. They had two children, Gregory and Christie, and moved the family to Florida in the late 1970s. In Florida, Rose worked at Operation PAR for more than 20 years and the PAR family quickly joined her family. Eventually she opened the Detox unit at PAR and made a difference in countless…

Renee Burnworth, 45, of Perry Township passed away Thursday, September 12, 2024 at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital. Born March 1, 1979 in Ellwood City, she was the daughter of the late James K. “Hoopy” Burnworth and Ann Gillespie Nelson of Ellwood City. Renee worked as a secretary and in sales for Precision Cabinets. She enjoyed fishing and trips to the casino. Above all else, Renee cherished being a mother and loved her family deeply. Survivors include her mother, Ann; fiancé, Tim Stiles of Perry Township; sons, Joshua and Colten Stiles both of Perry Township; sister, Jaime (John) Meyer of Ellwood City;…

Ryan D. Russo, 43, formerly of Ellwood City passed away in St. Petersburgh, Florida, in a heroic effort he made to save his girlfriend’s life in 2018, after pushing her out of the way of an erratic driver, Ryan was left in a coma which later claimed his life on September 5th, 2024 . Ryan was born on October 8th, 1980 to Peter and Lorraine (Izzo) Russo-Fresca. He attended both Lincoln High School and the Lawrence County Vo-Technical School. In Florida Ryan worked as a handyman for various construction companies. He loved writing and listening to music. Ryan also enjoyed…

Josephine Shubert, 103, of Glendale California (formerly of Wampum) passed away peacefully on August 26, 2024. Born February 28, 1921 in Renton, PA, she was the daughter of the late Frank and Mary Jordano Mento. She was married to Frank Shubert when he passed away on July 27, 2000. Josephine worked at the Ellwood Knitting Mill for 24 years as a seamstress and was a member of the former Queen of Heaven St. Monica Church in Wampum. She is survived by many nieces and nephews. The last of her family, she was preceded in death by her parents, husband, six…

Crystal Wawrzynski, 37, of Ellwood City tragically passed away on Saturday, September 7, 2024. Born October 11, 1986 in Pittsburgh, she was the daughter of Randal Cunningham and Jean Diegdio and the stepdaughter of Diane Himes Cunningham. She married Jonathan Wawrzynski on September 19, 2009. Some of Crystal’s interests were reading, watching dramas, playing pool, and throwing darts. She loved cats and riding motorcycles. Above all, she cherished the moments shared and the memories made with her children, grandson, and her husband Jon. Survivors include her parents and stepmother, her beloved husband Jon who she spent 21 years of her…

Mrs. Bertha I. Wright, 91, of Franklin Township passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 4th, 2024 at her daughters residence surrounded by her loving family. Mrs. Wright was born in Ellwood City on July 24th, 1933 the daughter of the late Raymond R. and Florence Mae (Wimer) Evans. She married the love of her life Richard J. “Dick” Wright on October 1st, 1953 after which they raised their seven children together. Bertha enjoyed crocheting, cooking, watching Fox News, listening to country music, and most of all time spent with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and her beloved dogs. She is survived…