1944 – Louise M. (Filippi) Bertone, July 13, 2024, worked for Western Union in Erie, and following World War II for Western Union in Syracuse, N.Y., and Washington, D.C. She was also employed by Louis Marx and Co., in Erie, in the Accounts Department. After she raised her family, Louise worked part-time in the kitchen at the Villa Maria Elementary School. Later, she became the head cook and manager of the cafeteria.

1946 – Lois M. (Scheffner) Baker, September 13, 2024, retired from the City of Erie in 1994, after 31 years of service. She was also a mail carrier for the Postal Service in Lorain, Ohio.

1947 – Audrey R. (Anthony) Kupniewski, October 14, 2024, worked for General Telephone Company for 30 years until her retirement.

1947 – Mary Margaret (Wood) Scypinski, September 12, 2024, proudly graduated from Villa Maria College. She was the first person in her family to attend college. She graduated in 1951 with honors with degrees in biology and chemistry, making the ‘Who’s Who of American College Women.’ Mary Margaret would later apply those skills at Mercyhurst University’s pioneering cancer research project under the leadership of Sister Eymard Poydock in the 1970’s. The team there was successful in clinical trials of establishing how vitamins C and B12 were the basis of promising cancer inhibitors thus coining the discovery ‘Mercytamin.’ The research papers from the study were published in a variety of scientific journals nationwide including the prestigious Journal of Experimental Cell Biology. Mary Margaret also worked at the American Red Cross as a case worker and for over 12 years as the librarian and a teacher at St. Peter Cathedral Center School where she touched countless children’s lives. Through her creative fundraising efforts, the school more than doubled its inventory of books.

1949 – Donna M. (Vitron) McCarthy, July 25, 2024, had worked as a secretary with the Lord Corp., retiring in 1986.

1950 – Marilyn (Schaefer) Kleinhanz, November 20, 2024, brought grace and warmth to everything she did, whether as a legal secretary at Marsh Spaeder Law Firm, a model and fashion consultant for Halle’s Department Store, or as a dedicated parishioner at St. Jude Church.

1950 – Mary Jane (Dobrynski) MacKrell, June 14, 2024, was a stay-at-home mother, and felt it was important to her children. After her children were raised, she worked as the Office Manager for the US Department of Labor for 23 years. After that she enjoyed her time as a volunteer for Saint Vincent Hospital Auxiliary for 19 years.

1952 – Denise M. (Herbstritt) Lorei, June 13, 2024, retired from International Paper in 1992, at which time she learned to golf, and became quite good. She was a selfless and giving person who was exceptionally active and involved in numerous social activities throughout her life. In addition to golf and travel, she volunteered weekly at the VA for the past 28 years, and in various capacities at St. Johns.

1954 – Jeannette M. (Baker) Keim, July 17, 2024, received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, with distinction, in Studio Arts in 1988 from the University of New Mexico, and her master’s degree in counseling, with distinction, from Webster University in 1997. Jeannette's art focused on the abstract expression of features found in landscapes and the patterns seen in the layers of the earth. The earth's layers, deposited over the millennia, remind us that our composition is also layered by the times through which we have passed. Her works were shown in various juried art shows throughout New Mexico and the United States. Jeannette served as a licensed mental health counselor at the Vista Care facility in Sierra Vista, Arizona, and various other organizations in southeast Arizona. Her work included family, group, and individual counseling for mental illness, substance abuse, and behavioral issues. She seamlessly integrated her artistic skills in art therapy with clients.

1955 – Bernice M. (Woldanski) Bronakoski, December 10, 2024, worked for several years as a saleswoman at the Trask Prescott and Richardson (TP&R) Department Store. Raising four children as a single mom, Bernice worked for decades with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s County Assistance Office in Erie, where she helped hundreds of area residents.

1955 – Elaine P. (Kosares) Carey, June 22, 2024, worked at GTE as a dispatcher until her retirement. She was a member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church and enjoyed crafting, knitting, cooking, baking, and spending time with family.

1955 – Elizabeth C. (Mayerhoefer) Wolfe, September 3, 2024, worked at Paine Webber Jackson Curtis before working at Fairview Manor for many years as a certified nursing assistant.

1956 – Mary (Barzano) DeSanti, August 29, 2024, worked for Union Bank and for the City of Erie Income Tax Office early in her career. She later became a travel agent and achieved the position of Deputy Clerk of Courts for the Federal Court located in Erie, Pennsylvania. Mary finally retired from a receptionist position at the Palace Business Center in 2019. In addition to working full-time jobs, she loved helping at various family businesses, including South Erie Pizza, and more recently at her niece’s business, A Cut Above Beauty Salon. In addition to her career work, she volunteered for various organizations, including Sisters of St. Joseph. She was also a member of St. George Church.

1957 – Carol A. (Weis) Allgeier, August 1, 2024, had a life-long devotion to the Blessed Mother, Mary. She worked as a nurse’s aide for many years. She was a devoted member of St. Boniface Catholic Church, where she served on many ministries. Together with her husband, Carol volunteered for 50 years at Pleasant Ridge Manor West.

1957 – Sr. Joseph Marie Fitzgerald, SSJ, August 12, 2024, graduated from Villa Maria College in 1967 with a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education. She continued her education at Michigan State University in East Lansing, MI where she earned a Master of Arts degree in Psychology and Student Services in 1971. A longtime teacher throughout the Erie diocese, Sister Joseph Marie taught at St. John, Our Lady of Peace, Holy Rosary, and Villa Maria Elementary Schools in Erie, St. Brigid School in Meadville, and St. Bernard in Bradford.  She also served as principal at Holy Rosary School in Erie. Sr. Joseph Marie served in many capacities at Villa Maria College, Erie, including Assistant Dean of Students, Guidance Office, Dean of Students, and Convent Superior.  She assisted her congregation in several positions including Assistant Community Superior, Formation Team Member, and Pre-novitiate Director.  At Metro Health Center in Erie, she served as a Pastoral Counselor, Discharge Planner, and Ethics Committee member.  She also served as a Resident Floor Supervisor at Saint Mary’s Home of Erie.

1957 – Susan (Parks) Hill, August 10, 2024, now gets to join the card table in heaven to play Yahtzee with her mother Ruth, her brother Jack, and sister Joan.

1958 – Kathleen A. (Rogers) Anderson Hauber, August 18, 2024, worked as a teller for Lord and AMSCO Credit Unions, jobs she thoroughly enjoyed. She was also an accomplished and talented watercolor artist.

1958 – Mary Ellen (Hofmann) Reddinger, November 28, 2024, worked at Erie County Adult Probation until her retirement in 2004.

1959 – Darla J. (Kirsch) Farrell, September 25, 2024, earned her nursing degree from Saint Vincent’s School of Nursing, in Erie, Pennsylvania, a Bachelor of Science and Nursing Degree from Laverne University in California and a Master of Arts Degree in executive business administration from Claremont Graduate University, in Claremont, California. Professionally, Darla’s journey began as the team nurse for the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Dodgers. Later, she worked as a registered nurse and advanced as a consultant in the Infectious Disease Unit at San Dimas Hospital. After her 20 years of service for the hospital, Darla became an entrepreneur and opened her consulting firm with both her hospital and administrative expertise that prepared hospitals for accreditation, a joint commission for Medicare accreditation.

1961 – Susan Jayne (Tirpak) Gustavson, October 4, 2024, graduated in 1965 from Villa Maria College, now Gannon University, in Erie, PA. She spent her career as a laboratory medical technician, where she utilized her specialized skills in microbiology at various hospitals, including what was Richmond Heights General Hospital, now University Hospitals. However, Susan's true passion and where she devoted so much of her time was for the advocacy for children with learning disabilities and their families. After finishing her medical career, Susan transitioned to serve as the director of the Learning Disabilities Association of Cuyahoga County. Over many years, she enriched various children, families, and communities with her unwavering, heartfelt support.

1961 – Ann C. (Weigand) Nagosky, July 2, 2024, went on to earn a bachelor’s degree from Mercyhurst College and a master’s degree from Edinboro University. She spent 46 years as an educator, teaching French and mathematics at Iroquois High School, mathematics at Harbor Creek High School, and mathematics at Gannon University, Mercyhurst-North East, Mercyhurst University, and Penn State-Behrend. Later in life, she took post-baccalaureate courses in accounting at Mercyhurst University and became a CPA.

1962 – Diane G. (Covatto) Zielinski, June 10, 2024, went to work at Retail Credit, Erie Tech Products and McDowell High School.

1963 – Audrey A. (Liebert) Hermann, October 23, 2024.

1963 – Letitia A. (Tonty) Szczesny, September 27, 2024, returned to school as an adult student and graduated from Mercyhurst College in 1986. She was an elementary school teacher for the Diocese of Erie teaching at Holy Rosary School and retired from the Fort Leboeuf School district.

1964 – Camille R. (Tyczkowski) Schroeck, November 3, 2024, was a graduate of Mercyhurst University with a BA in biology. Camille was the loving wife of Calvin Schroeck for 55 years. They moved to Eastlake OH in 1971 and were members of St. Mary Magdalene Church. In 1990, they moved to Willoughby Hills and were members of St. Noel Church. Camille was a Eucharistic Minister and sang in the choir for over 20 years. She also taught chemistry and biology at Notre Dame Cathedral Latin School.

1965 – Sandra (LaJohn) Barry, November 8, 2024, was an alumnus of Robert Morris College of Business. She worked as a secretary for the City of Erie Parks Department after graduation. She then worked for the family business during the busy season at Fred LaJohn Investments in Erie for over twenty years as a bookkeeper.

1970 – Gloria J. (Perowicz) Alex, September 14, 2024, retired from Curtze Foods, where she was a credit manager for many years.

1970 – Donna E. (Hoffer) Jones, August 19, 2024, trained in the health care industry. After working in her chosen profession, she became a full-time homemaker after the birth of her first child.

1976 – Roberta A. Bucci, October 4, 2024, graduated from Villa Maria College with a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education. She received her Master of Education in School Administration from Edinboro University and her Principal Certification from Gannon University. Roberta decided she was going to be a teacher when she was in second grade and never changed her mind. She taught for 21 years in Catholic schools, beginning her teaching career at Saint Paul School for two years, and then spent the next 19 years at Blessed Sacrament School, both in Erie. Roberta had a sixth-grade homeroom every year she taught, and always said sixth grade was the best grade in the whole wide world. In 1999, she moved to the Catholic Schools Office as Director of Government Programs for the Catholic schools in the Diocese of Erie.

1979 – Mary Kay Laird, December 4, 2024, went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts from Dayton University. She started her career in Banking and went on to work in retail, where she helped open a Bose store in New York.

1995 – Elizabeth Bonniger, September 26, 2024, was a bright, intelligent person and before her accident, ran two separate equestrian stables, taking full responsibility for all her charges.