Anthony 'Chickie' Ciufi
79, went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on May 7, 2023. Anthony was a devoted father, church leader, veteran, monk, and friend, but he was also known for his larger-than-life and memorable personality. Anthony lived life to the fullest with an infectious laugh and imaginative storytelling. Anthony was always there for his family, offering unwavering support and guidance. Anthony loved to preach the gospel to everyone he knew and those he didn’t know. We know that his memory will live on in the many lives he touched.
In honor of Anthony's memory, take a moment to reach out in your heart to Jesus to experience His love and receive His rest. We know that he would want nothing more than to see his loved ones celebrating his life, which is rich in memories of all who love him: his daughter Corrie (Kelly) Ciufi Motichek; his son Daniel (Jessi) Ciufi; his brother John (Diana) Ciufi; and 4 grandchildren Ethan and Alexandria Motichek; Norah and Nathan Ciufi; as well as his nephews Robert and Christopher and nieces Nicole and Connie. In Lieu of flowers, please consider donations to children in poverty (a cause dear to Anthony’s heart) https://www.compassion.com/ways-to-donate.htm
Anthony was laid to rest in Mt. Carmel Cemetery on May 10, 2023.
Alex Pimpinella
Age 68, of Penn Hills, passed away Wednesday, May, 17, 2023. Son of the late Antonio “Tony” and Rosa Pimpinella; father of Alex Pimpinella; brother of Lena (Pasquale) Ciano, Tina (Late Alberto) DiClemente and the late Dario and Livio Pimpinella; boyfriend of Janet Kelly; also survived by nieces and nephews. Alex enjoyed growing produce in his garden and fishing. In lieu of flowers please consider a memorial donation to the American Cancer Society.
Service and interment private.
Shirley A. Daw
Age 80, of Penn Hills, passed away Wednesday, May 10, 2023. Beloved wife of the late Leonard R.; mother of Russell (Molly) Haines, Kathy (David) Wolf, Mark (Rowena) Haines, and Michael (Traci) Haines; crazy grandmother of 18; great-grandmother of 19; sister of Deborah (Dan) Hagan, Russell (Jill) Wright, Patty Iscrupe, Carol (the late Lee) Lampard, and the late Sandra (Alonzo) VanAtta, Bruce (surviving Peggy) Wright, and Paul Brunton. Also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and special family friend Paul Nelson. Shirley was a longtime volunteer and employee of Forbes Health System. She lived a full life with great family and friends. Once she loved you, it was forever. She will truly be missed. The family would like to thank all of those at Brookdale Senior Living in Penn Hills and Bridges Hospice for their care and support.
Friends received at William F. Gross Funeral Home 11735 Frankstown Rd. (at Rodi Rd.), Penn Hills on Thursday, May 11, 2023 from 3-7 p.m. and Friday, May 12, 2023 from 3 p.m. until the time of the Funeral Service at 7 p.m.
Peggy A. Hopkins (Brenner)
Age 70, of Penn Hills, passed away peacefully Wednesday, May 17, 2023. Beloved wife of Michael Pleva and the late Charles W. Hopkins; mother of Robert Brenner Hopkins; sister of Karon (Clifford) Moore and the late Robert Brenner, Jr. Peggy was a personal caregiver and had a deep love for her son Bobby. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to the charity of your choice.
Friends received at William F. Gross Funeral Home 11735 Frankstown Rd. (at Rodi Rd.), Penn Hills on Sunday, May 21, 2023 from 3-7 p.m. and on Monday, May 22, 2023 from 10 a.m. until the time of the Funeral Service at 12 p.m.
Philomena “Phyllis” T. Ruffner (Galutzi)
Passed away Saturday, May 6, 2023 at her home in Donegal, PA with her sons at her side. Phyllis was born January 16, 1941, originally from East Liberty, Larmar Avenue and formerly of Wilkinsburg. She passed due to metastasizing cancer complications. Phyllis was a woman of strength, she didn’t even know she had cancer until the very end and never took any pain medications until the end. Phyllis has nine children with her ex-husband Charles Ruffner who passed away a few years ago from lung cancer.
Phyllis was always devoted to and protective of her family. She cared deeply for her mother, father, sisters, brothers, and children. She would always make time to play outside with her kids whether it was playing in the snow, or playing Indian Baseball, she made them Halloween costumes and baked them the best homemade bread and lemon meringue pies. Her son Chuckie would always say she was both a father and a mother. Phyllis’s house was always full of kids, cousins, and friends. With that many kids, you would be called a different name at any given time.
Phyllis was a very creative woman who loved to dance, garden, cook, and paint. Sometimes her kids would stay with friends for a few days and when they came home, the house would be painted a different color. She loved growing all kinds of vegetables but unfortunately with nine kids running around, they would get picked before she could pick them herself. She was a great cook, especially when it came to spaghetti and meatballs. The boys were always better at that dish than the girls were. She also enjoyed dancing and trying to teach her middle daughter to loosen up. Sadly, it didn’t work. When Phyllis was older, she got her driver’s license and her own car. She loved the freedom of being able to come and go by herself wherever she wanted to go. She liked to speak her mind and be very stubborn.
Throughout her life, Phyllis worked at the same bakery her son’s worked at in Wilkinsburg. She worked at George Akin’s delicatessen in Wilkinsburg and Oakland, and she was a caretaker for her friend Virginia.
Phyllis leaves behind her children Dwayne (Shelly) Ruffner, Grace (Jack) Whipkey, Theresa (Dave) Innes, David (Teri) Ruffner, Eric Ruffner, and Genny Pugh. She also leaves behind 34 grandchildren, 66 great-grandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and great cousins.
Phyllis is preceded in death by her parents Grace and Charles Galutzi, her sons Charles, Steven, and Jeffrey Ruffner, her brothers Joe and Jackie, and her sisters Millie, Josephine, Grace (Thomas), and Dolly.
Mom we miss you and you are forever in our hearts.
Friends received at William F. Gross Funeral Home 11735 Frankstown Rd. (at Rodi Rd.), Penn Hills on Wednesday, May 10, 2023 from 2-8 p.m. A funeral service will be held at the funeral home on Thursday, May 11, 2023 at 11 a.m.