Arlene Vernacotola

Arlene (Giacomo) Vernacotola, 99, of Washington Township died Tuesday at the Belair Health and Rehabilitation Center, Lower Burrell, Pa., after a long happy life.

She was born on Feb. 25, 1914, in Corry, Pa., a daughter of the late Andrew and Anna (Perifano) Giacomo.

She grew up in Butler, moved to Vandergrift after her marriage and lived the majority of her life in Washington Township.

Mrs. Vernacotola had been employed at the Spaide Shirt Factory in Butler, where she worked as a seamstress until she married. Along with her husband, she owned and operated The Beaver Grill restaurant in Washington Township for several years.

She was a member of the St. James Roman Catholic Church and the rosary Confraternity. She enjoyed quilting, sewing, cooking, baking, reading, and most of all, spending time with her family.

Survivors include her son, Nick (Diane) Vernacotola of Allegheny Township; her daughter, Marianne (James) Fritz of Washington Township; her grandchildren, Amanda Fritz Zundel (J. Zundel) of Plum Borough and Sara Fritz (Andrew Perrin) of Plum Borough; her stepgrandchildren, Victor Conner of Springdale and Jennifer Conner of Vandergrift; and her stepgreat-grandchildren, Joseph and Virina Conner.

Also surviving are her sisters, Marie McGuire and Norma Sybert of Butler; her sisters-in-law, Emily Firek of Vandergrift and Mary Ann Vernacotola of Barberton, Ohio; and many beloved nieces and nephews of her extended family.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Salvatore Vernacotola in 1982; her brother, Frank Giacomo; her four sisters, Theresa Lauteria, Emily DiSabato, Jean Spekis and Lucille DiFoggi; and her infant twin sisters, June and Joyce Giacomo.

Vernacotola — The visitation for Arlene (Giacomo) Vernacotola, who died Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2014, will be at the Curran-Shaffer Funeral, 100 Owens View Ave., Apollo, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at the St. James Roman Catholic Church, Apollo at 10 a.m. Friday with Father John Euker as the celebrant. Entombment will be in Greenwood Memorial Park Mausoleum, Lower Burrell, Pa.In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to The American Heart Association, St. Jude Foundation, St. James Roman Catholic Church, or the charity of your choice.To send an online condolence, please visit www.curranfuneralhome.com.