Pennsylvania Obituary and Marriage Records, 1947-2010
George Dilworth Edwards
Pasadena, Calif.
George Dilworth Edwards, 89, of Pasadena, Calif., died Friday, Sept. 1, 2000, of a stroke. He was born in Pittsburgh, a son of the late George Dickson Edwards and Pauline Dilworth Edwards, graduated from The Choate School and Princeton, and lived his adult life in California, sharing a home with his survivor, John Valpreda. Also surviving are his sister and brothers , Mary Foster and Richard D. Edwards of Pittsburgh and Howard D. Edwards of Charleston, S.C. Burial will be private and there will be no visitation. Arrangements by H. SAMSON INC., Pittsburgh.
George A. Figiel
White Oak
George A. Figiel, 82, of White Oak, died Aug. 10, 2000 in Heber City, Utah. Born June 28, 1918 in McKeesport, he was a son of the late George and Julia Figiel. He was a retired architectural designer for the Celli-Flynn Co. of Pittsburgh and the G.C. Murphy Co. of McKeesport. He served with the U.S. Army during World War II. Survivors include his wife, Gizella J. Figiel of Heber City, Utah; a son, Gerald Figiel of Perryopolis, Pa.; two daughters , Saundra McCartney and Joan McBee of Heber City, Utah; a brother, Walter Figiel of San Diego, Calif.; three grandchildren; also nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters , Stella Pomorski and Mary Winarski. Friends will be received from 5 p.m. until the hour of service at 8 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 11, 2000, in the JAYCOX-JAWORSKI FUNERAL HOME, 2703 O'Neil Blvd., McKeesport. Memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer's Disease Foundation, 1009 Duquesne Blvd., Duquesne, PA 15110.
Genevieve C. Daugherty Freyer
Irwin
Genevieve C. Daugherty Freyer, 71, of Irwin, died Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2000, in the Jeannette District Memorial Hospital. She was born March 24, 1929, in Martin, a daughter of the late James and Florence Rock Daugherty. She was a member of the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Irwin. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Freyer. Surviving are five sons , Charles of West Mifflin, Robert of North Huntingdon, Edward and Dale, both of Elizabeth, and Walter of Virginia; three daughters , Joyce Scharer of Greensburg, Linda Rothbauer and Debrah Candelore, both of Elizabeth; 21 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and two sisters , Rose Marie Martinez of McKeesport and Edna Martinez of Chicago, Ill. Friends will be received Thursday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the JOSEPH F. OTT FUNERAL HOME INC., 504 Oak St., Irwin. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday at 10 a.m. in the Church of the Immaculate Conception. Interment will follow in Round Hill Cemetery, Elizabeth.
Jack H. Friedman
Squirrel Hill
Jack H. Friedman, 95, on Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2000. Beloved husband of the late Anne Gibbons Friedman; Father of Mark A. Friedman of Baltimore, Md. and A. David Friedman of Pittsburgh; brother of Dinetta Luick of Los Angeles, Calif. and the late Florence Landau and George Friedman; grandfather of Lauren and Joshua Friedman of Boston, Mass., Mary (Alan) Felser and Lisa (Robert) Sobrofosky, all of Falls Church, Va. Also survived by three great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Services at the BURTON L. HIRSCH CHAPEL, 2704 Murray Ave., Squirrel Hill (opp. Morrowfield Apts.) on Thursday at 1 p.m. Interment in Beth Shalom Cemetery. Visitation one hour prior to services (12 noon to 1 p.m.). Family suggests contributions to Riverview Towers, 52 Garetta St., Pittsburgh, PA 15217.
Sister Laurine Graff
Philadelphia,
Formerly of Pittsburgh
Sister Laurine Graff, 56, died Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2000, of cancer at her home. A member of the sisters of Divine Providence, Sister Laurine's intellectual curiosity led her to religious life and to a career as a teacher and medical technologist in the field of medical research. A native of Pittsburgh, Sister Laurine entered the community of the sisters of Divine Providence in 1960. After a few years of teaching elementary school at St. Mary School in Springdale, St. Sylvester School in Brentwood and St. Mary School in Herman, she began work toward a degree in biology. In 1970, she earned a bachelor's degree in biology from Holy Family College in Philadelphia, where she trained at Nazareth Hospital in medical technology. After graduating from Holy Family College, Sister Laurine returned to Pittsburgh and worked at Mercy Hospital and Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh in hematology and chemistry. During that time, she also was a field instructor in medical technology at the University of Pittsburgh. In 1978, she enrolled at San Francisco University in California, where she completed work for her master's degree in clinical science while teaching biostatistics and quality control. Upon graduation, she devoted her time to writing a highly acclaimed textbook, "A Handbook of Routine Urinalysis," which was published in 1983 by Lippincott Co. Sister Laurine was the sole author, illustrator and photographer of the 284-page book. The handbook, an instructional aid for clinical laboratory students, also was viewed as an authoritative source of reference on the subject. It was well received and translated into Spanish shortly after publication. It was distributed to medical schools across the country and used in medical technology classes. Until her illness, Sister Laurine had been conducting research and writing with the intent of publishing a second edition of her book. She was a noted speaker and an active member of the American Society of Medical Technology. Sister Laurine is survived by her mother , Thelma Guyton Graff of Glenshaw; and three sisters , Barbara Smith of Martinez, Calif., Ruth Pushak of Chicago; and Susan Foster of Tampa, Fla. She was preceded in death by her Father , Edward W. Graff; and a sister, Mary Katherine Graff. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday and from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Friday in the Provincial House, 9000 Babcock Blvd., McCandless. Christian Funeral Mass will be at 4 p.m. Friday in the Mater Divinae Providentiae Chapel, McCandless. Burial will be in the community's cemetery. Memorial contributions can be made in Sister Laurine's name to the sisters of Divine Providence Ministries Fund.
Alfred Higgs Sr.
Derry
Alfred Higgs Sr., 87, of Derry, died Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2000, in Edgewood Nursing Center. He was born Nov. 18, 1912, in Duquesne, a son of the late William and Mary Pearson Higgs. He was retired from U.S. Steel Irvin Works. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by three brothers , Floyd, William and Edward Higgs; and two sisters , Catherine and Genevieve Higgs. He is survived by his wife, Rosella Heath Higgs; and his son, Alfred Higgs and his wife, Joan, of Derry RR1; a brother, Richard Higgs of Ohio; two sisters , Dorothy Petrak of West Mifflin and Elizabeth Nickelson of Pennsylvania ; three grandchildren, Cynthia Frayvolt, Michael and Kevin Higgs; five great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Friends will be received Thursday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. in the McCABE FUNERAL HOME, 300 W. Third Ave., Derry, where blessing services will be conducted Friday at 11 a.m. Interment will follow in Coles Cemetery, Derry.
George W. Hoffer Sr.
Latrobe
George W. Hoffer Sr., 70, of Latrobe, died Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2000, at his home. He was born June 18, 1930, in Latrobe, a son of the late John and Amanda Price Hoffer. He was a devoted husband and Father who was loved and admired so much. He was a member of St. James Lutheran Church, Youngstown, Pa., and was retired from Conrail with 47 years of service. He was a lifelong founding and active member of the Baggaley Volunteer Fire Department for 51 years. He served three years with the U.S. Army Reserve during the Korean conflict. He was a member of the Frontier Club, Latrobe; the Derry Rod & Gun Club, the Latrobe Senior Citizens Center, Local 1537 Retirees Club, President of B.M.W.E. Local 3008, Derry, and the Westmoreland County Fire Chiefs Association. He was also involved for many years with the Boy Scouts. He was an avid hunter and outdoorsman. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by two brothers , John and Ronald Hoffer. Survivors include his wife of 44 years, Dorothy Reed Hoffer; four sons , George W. Hoffer Jr. and his fiancee, Wendy Wadsworth, of Latrobe, James W. Hoffer and his wife, Wendy, of Latrobe, Arnold F. Hoffer of Loyalhanna and Robert D. Hoffer and his fiancee, Patricia Leach, of Latrobe; twin daughters , Joan M. Hoffer at home (who gratefully took care of her Dad) and Jane C. Shafran and her husband, Jeff, of Latrobe; a daughter-in-law, Mary Hoffer of Latrobe; two brothers , Paul Hoffer of Whitney and Robert Hoffer and his wife, Mariann, of Brunswick, Ohio; and two sisters , Harriet Reed of Hannastown and Alice Bailey of Pittsburgh. Also survived by six grandchildren, Jennifer Keough, Georgie Hoffer III, Jeffrey and Asa Shafran and Amber and Rachel Hoffer; four stepgrandchildren, Jason Wadsworth and Terri, Megan and Brandon Simms; an aunt, Edna Price of Latrobe; a nephew, Donald Reed at home; and a number of other nephews, nieces, and cousins. Friends received Wednesday from 7 to 9 p.m. and Thursday from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. in the JOHN J. LOPATICH FUNERAL HOME INC., 601 Weldon St., Latrobe. Funeral service Friday at 10 a.m. in St. James Lutheran Church with the Rev. David Vonschlichten officiating. Interment Unity Cemetery, Unity Township. The Baggaley V.F.D. will hold services Thursday at 7 p.m. and the Derry Township Fire Department Co. #1, Bradenville, will hold services at 7:30 p.m., both in the funeral home. military services will be held Friday at 9:15 a.m. in the funeral home.
Joanne Cowan Hough
Scottdale
Joanne Cowan Hough, 61, of Scottdale RD1, wife of Jack D. Hough, passed away Wednesday evening, Sept. 6, 2000, at her home. Family and friends will be received at the ROBERT B. FERGUSON FUNERAL HOME, 105 Spring St., Scottdale, (724) 887-5300, email:rferg<\at>a1usa.net, Thursday from 7 to 9 p.m. and Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Funeral services will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. in the funeral home chapel with the Rev. Dr. Paul Morris officiating. Chapel committal services and interment will follow in Green Ridge Memorial Park. Additional obituary information will be forthcoming in Friday's edition.
Bernice Jasinski
Braddock Hills
Bernice Jasinski, 92, of Braddock Hills, died Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2000, in UPMC/Braddock. Born Jan. 30, 1908 in Newark, N.J., she was the daughter of the late Walter and Anastasia Jermak Jasinski. She was a retired merchandiser for Murphy Company. She is survived by several nephews. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday in RONALD V. LUCAS FUNERAL HOME, corner of Bell and Jones Aves., North Braddock, (412-271-1361). Funeral mass will be at 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 8, in Sacred Heart Church. Interment will follow in Braddock Catholic Cemetery.
Jean E. Kay
Shaler
Jean E. Kay, 80, died Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2000 in UPMC St. Margaret, Pittsburgh. Born March 11, 1920, in Pittsburgh, she was the daughter of the late Walter V. and Bertha "Joy" Kirkwood. Mrs. Kay was a homemaker. Survivors include her husband, Richard R. Kay; two daughters , Marilyn K. Walker of Shaler, Joanne Willhite of San Diego, Calif.; and three grandchildren. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Lt. Col. Ret. Walter Kirkwood; and a sister, M. Marie Kirkwood. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday in BOCK FUNERAL HOME, 1500 Mt. Royal Blvd., Shaler, where services will be 11:30 a.m. Friday with the Rev. Robert F. Tuttle officiating. Burial will be in Allegheny County Memorial Park, McCandless. Memorial contributions can be made to the Spina Bifida Association of Western Pennsylvania , 134 Shenot Drive, Building No. 1, Wexford, PA 15090.
Harry J. Letters Sr.
O'Hara
Harry J. Letters Sr., 83, died Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2000 in his home. Born Jan. 6, 1917, in Pittsburgh, he was the son of the late Alexander and Anna Granzien Letters. Mr. Letters owned and operated H.J. Letters Roofing in Sharpsburg for 60 years. He was a member of the First English Lutheran Church, Sharpsburg. Survivors include his wife, Theresa Violi Letters; five daughters , Janet Orsini of Shaler, Joan Mitlo of Pittsburgh, Joyce Cruise of Robinson Township, Patricia Kypke of Austin, Texas , and Nancy Condron of Verona; four sons , Harry J. Letters Jr. of Templeton, Robert Letters of O'Hara, Jeffrey Letters of Shaler and Russell Letters of O'Hara; 19 grandchildren; and four great- grandchildren. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, William Letters. Friends will be received from 2 to 9 p.m. Thursday in WORRELL FUNERAL HOME, corner of Main and Ninth Streets, Sharpsburg. Services will be 10 a.m. Friday in First English Lutheran Church, Sharpsburg, with the Rev. Kenneth Shuman officiating. Burial will be private. Memorial contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society, 241 Fourth Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15222.
