Jennie Buccini
Jennie A. Cemate Buccini, 94, of Mercer, passed away peacefully early morning Thursday, Dec. 31, 2020. She was a personal care resident of Quality Life Services (formerly known as Countryside Convalescent Home).
She previously resided on Cranberry Road in Grove City; in Boyers (Butler County); and in Ganister (Blair County).
Born May 8, 1926, in Ganister (near Williamsburg), Jennie was the daughter of the late John A. and Louise (Ferrante) Cemate.
She graduated from Grove City High School.
Jennie married Philip Buccini on June 14, 1947. They were married 71 years until his passing on Aug. 31, 2018. They traveled throughout the United States and abroad. Loving each other dearly, Philip would refer to Jennie as his “bella donna.”
Although Jennie and Philip had no children of their own, they took great pleasure in their nieces, nephews and friends’ children. Jennie was a role model for many of them on how to be a supportive sibling, devoted spouse, loyal and fun friend, and a dedicated career employee. She was known for her boisterous laugh and often strong, yet loving, opinions.
Jennie retired in 1987 having worked 30 years as a senior teller/loan clerk with the Grove City branch of the current PNC Bank, formerly known as the First Seneca Bank and National City Bank. During her employment, she received a letter from a daughter of an elderly widowed banking customer. The daughter quotes how her mother described Jennie as a “kind and patient teller” who instilled confidence in the mother to handle her own finances as a widow. In Jennie’s retirement years she would reminisce and comment that she loved her job and her customers. When you would visit Jennie in her personal care home, you would ask before leaving, “Do you need anything?” She would reply, “Yeah, a million bucks!” Those years of banking remained in her blood.
Jennie was a member of Church of the Beloved Disciple in Grove City and also the now closed Epiphany Church in Boyers. At the Beloved Disciple she served on the cleaning committee and helped prepare apple dumplings for fundraisers. She volunteered as a lobby clerk for many years with the former United Community Hospital in Grove City.
Jennie’s interests throughout her life, besides traveling, included: crocheting afghans for relatives and friends; journaling; walking and dining out with co-retirees; reading novels by her favorite authors, Danielle Steel, Mary Higgins Clark and Nora Roberts; doing word search books; and baking her specialties of lasagna and pizzelles.
She leaves behind to cherish her memory one sister, Rose Middendorf of Lincoln Park, Mich.; one brother, Robert (Joan) Cemate of Westwood, Mass.; two sisters-in-law, Pauline Harris of Mercer and Betty Buccini of Edgewater, Fla.; and two brothers-in-law, Michael Costello of Delray Beach, Fla., and Clarence “Dick” Ellington of Morehead, Ky. Numerous nieces, nephews and their families also survive.
In addition to her parents and husband, five brothers preceded her in death, Otto, Jack, Dominick, Luchion “Joe,” and Settemio “Sam” Cemate.; a toddler brother, Silvio Cemate, is also deceased. She was also preceded in death by her eight sisters-in-law, Helen, Julie, Flora, Edna, Lorraine and Janet Cemate, Bernadine “Dena” Ellington and Edith Costello; and three brothers-in-law, Francis Middendorf, Domenic (Al) Buccini and William Harris.
The family would like to thank the dedicated administrators, directors, nurses, PC aides, activity departments and clergy of both the Mercer and Grove City sites of Quality Life Service’s Personal Care units where Jennie made her home for the combined past five years. The family is also grateful for the RN, social worker and CNA of the on-site Three Rivers Hospice (of Family Home Health) for their care and compassion.
Buccini — There will be no visitation for Jennie A. Buccini who died Thursday, Dec. 31, 2020.
Burial will take place in Crestview Memorial Park, Grove City.
A Celebration of Life event will take place in the late spring or summer of 2021.
Arrangements are by the Cunningham Funeral Home, Grove City. On line condolences at cunninghamfhgc.com.
If desired, Masses or memorial donations may be made in honor of Jennie to Church of the Beloved Disciple, 1310 S. Center St. Ext., Grove City, PA 16127.
