Roofner

The earthly journey of Vivian D. (Fry) Roofner ended on Thursday, July 25, 2024, when she passed peacefully into the arms of her Lord and Savior. Her family grieved the loss of their mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, but they were comforted knowing that her pain and suffering had ended, and she would join her loved ones in the unimaginable joy of eternity in Heaven.

She was born on Feb. 11, 1932, to Perry J. and Bessie R. (Lockhart) Fry. Ford City was home for many of her early years, but the Kittanning Highlands became her home in her teenage years. She graduated from Kittanning Senior High School in 1950. One of her first jobs was as a department supervisor at the G.C. Murphy Co. store in Kittanning.

On July 21, 1951, she married Carl F. Roofner from Worthington, where they lived and raised a family. For 68 years they were a partnership built on faith, love and respect for one another. In addition to being a wife and mother, she pursued other retail ventures. She held home parties demonstrating Dutch Maid clothing, was an “Avon Lady,” and introduced the benefits of Tupperware to other housewives. While these ventures were other interests in her life, she was always dedicated to her family and taking care of them was her primary goal in life.

She was also civic-minded and gave her time and talents to various community organizations. While her children were in school, she was a PTA member and once served as its president. She had compassion for the elderly and the sick. She was a driver for Meals on Wheels and enjoyed meeting the people she served. After enduring the loss of her mother to cancer, she became a Visiting Nurses volunteer. She found helping other people in similar situations rewarding and it eased her own sense of loss.

The partnership between her and her husband was strong and sustained them throughout the ups and downs of life. Her husband built houses in addition to working for the gas company and working on the farm. Her extra hands were needed, and she was more than willing to help. When someone was needed to rake hay, she would jump into her old clothes and climb onto the tractor. She mothered newborn lambs which were unlikely to survive on their own. She helped to feed and care for the cattle on the farm. When it came to helping with building houses, she was a master with a paintbrush. She would paint, stain, and varnish as well as wallpapering. She was never limited to what was considered “women’s work.”

Mowing grass and working in her flower beds were her favorite activities. Up until the year before she died, she could be seen riding her lawn tractor. She loved being on that small tractor as much as her husband loved working the fields with the large farm tractors. If there is grass in heaven, she will want to mow it.

Most importantly, she was a woman of great faith. Despite her bout with cancer and other medical issues, she was firm in her beliefs. She was a member of the Worthington Lutheran Church which she supported with her time and talents. She was a Council member, taught Sunday school and Vacation Bible School.

She especially loved teaching young people the Catechism to prepare them for their confirmation into the faith. Her beliefs were strongly held and never wavered even as death approached.

Left to cherish her memories are daughter, Linda D. and husband, David McCue, of Worthington; daughter, Susan A. Lockhart of Houston, Texas; and son, Perry F. and wife, Teri Roofner, of Worthington. The family circle includes grandchildren, Carla L. (McCue) and husband, Bruno Sciulli; Suzanne A. (Gilbert) Rosado and husband, Carlos; Wesley R. and wife, Leanne Gilbert; Stanley J. (Jamie) and wife, Stephanie Roofner; and John C. Roofner of Worthington. She was also blessed with great-grandchildren, Cayla Sciulli, Easton Grove, Marcus Rosado, Zachary Rosado, Lyanna Roofner and Rayna Roofner.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband; grandson, Matthew D. McCue; great-grandson, Bruno Carl Sciulli; and great-granddaughter; Matalena Lynn Sciulli; sister, Violet MacNamara; brother, Ronald Fry; and sister, Caroline Fry.

ROOFNER — Visitation for Vivian D. (Fry) Roofner, who died Thursday, July 25, 2024, will be from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at F. DUANE SNYDER FUNERAL HOME, 119 Bear St., Worthington.

There will be additional visitation at 10 a.m. Friday, at Worthington Evangelical Lutheran Church, 136 W. Main St., Worthington, with the funeral to follow at 11 a.m.

Burial will be in the Roofner family plot at the Worthington Presbyterian Cemetery.

For more information please visit www.snydercrissman.com.

Please sign the guest book at www.butlereagle.com.