Holly

Veronica C. "Vee" Holly, 92, of Chicora died at 11:45 p.m. Friday at Butler Memorial Hospital following an illness.

She was born in Chicora, Jan. 14, 1916, the daughter of Michael J. and Cecelia A. Ritzert Geagon.

After the death of her parents, she was raised by her grandparents, Adam and Lena Ritzert.

She married Charles V. Holly Sr., Oct. 14, 1940, who died in 1970. They lived in East Butler and had one son, Charles V. Holly Jr., who died July 5, 1983.

They moved to the Holly Farm in East Brady in 1944.

Before her marriage, she worked as housekeeper for Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Fursigh and Mr. and Mr. Lev Chank in Butler. She also worked for Hutchison's Dry Cleaners in Butler from 1968 to 1970, worked a short time at the Sunnyview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, and worked at Butler Memorial Hospital as a nurses aide, mostly in pediatrics, from 1971 to 1980.

She was a member of the Mater Dolorosa Catholic Church, Chicora, and a member of the former St. Patrick Chapel of Sugarcreek. She also was a member of the Altar-Rosary Society of Mater Dolorosa Catholic Church and the Altar-Rosary Society of the former St. Patrick Chapel.

She was a lifetime member of the Donegal Grange, the Tanglewood Senior Center and the Chicora Senior Center. She enjoyed playing cards and bingo.

Surviving are a daughter-in-law, Violet "Joann" Ritzert of East Brady; three granddaughters, Michelle Monella and her husband, Daniel "Butch," of DuBois, Julie Coon and her husband, Mike, of East Brady and Charla Craig and her husband, Randy, of Chicora; and six great-grandchildren, Jacob, Justin and Samantha Jo Monella, Ashley and Cole Coon, and Kirstin Craig. A number of nieces and nephews also survive.

She was preceded in death by her husband; her son; a grandson, Joseph C. Holly, who died May 25, 1994; a great-grandson, Christopher Douglas; two sisters, Mary M. Weiland and Regina M. Morrow; and a companion of 20 years, Frank Wagner.

<B>HOLLY</B> — Friends of Veronica C. "Vee" Holly, who died Friday, Jan. 9, 2009, will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today at the <B>STEIGHNER FUNERAL HOME</B>, 111 E. Slippery Rock and Main streets, Chicora. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Mater Dolorosa Catholic Church, 409 N. Main St., Chicora, with the Rev. David DeWitt, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in St. Patrick Cemetery, Sugarcreek Township.For further information, directions and to offer condolences, go to www.steighnerfuneralhome.com.