Patricia R. Russo
Hello My Love….
That’s how she would greet us whether on the phone or in person it was always, “hello my love” followed with a smile to light up the room and instinctively caused us to smile back.
At 94, “Pat”, “Patty”, of Murrysville, formerly of Plum Boro. and Bloomfield, passed away on November 11, 2025.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Patrick and Christine (Nacarrato) Rogers, her brother, Charles Rogers, her sister, Sr. Adele Rogers SC, her husband Joseph “Dixie” Russo and two daughters, Chris Russo and Michelle Russo.
She is survived by her daughter Rita (Dave) Gismondi two grandsons, Justin Gismondi and Jacob Brown, several cousins and many nieces and nephews.
She graduated from Immaculate Conception High School in Bloomfield and worked in the payroll department of H. J. Heinz Company during most of her single years. She married Dixie and moved to the suburbs in 1956. Her daughters were the pride and joy of her life only to be surpassed by the love she had for her grandsons.
Being a mom was the highlight of her life. She would do anything for her girls. She enrolled us in every dance lesson available along with piano lessons, horseback riding and art school. She was an excellent seamstress and made sure all three of us had new matching outfits for every occasion. Our house was filled with love, laughter, and generosity. There was never a problem that couldn’t be solved. Her legacy is being an advocate particularly for children.
In 1970 when her youngest non-verbal daughter was denied access to school, she opened her own school called The Unity Child Development Center to educate any child that was denied access to public education. At the same time, she worked with local state representatives and the governor to help pass foundation laws that paved the way for things such as The Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Education for all Handicapped Children Act of 1975 and eventually No Child Left Behind Act.
All of this armed with no more than a voice, a dream and a telephone. No internet, no support from anyone and for most of those years not even a driver’s license.
On the heels of running a school and passing laws, she ran the office for her husband’s construction company from the 1970’s through retirement.
She enjoyed sewing and ALL crafts particularly embroidery and cross stitch. She even had an Etsy site called Patty’s Treasures to sell her hand embroidered pillowcases.
To carry on her legacy of advocating for children, she requested no flowers but to donate to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. While we have been blessed to never need their services, she hated to see any child suffer.
Please join us for a mass of Christian burial, Monday, December 22, 2025 at 10:00 AM at Mother of Sorrows Church, 4202 Old William Penn Highway, Murrysville, PA 15668. We will lay her remains to rest in Plum Creek Cemetery after the funeral mass. Arrangements by William F. Gross Funeral Home, Ltd.
The mass will be live-streamed from the Mother of Sorrows Church website: https://motherofsorrowschurch.org/livestream/
Pat Russo… loved 94 years …and then some.
Loraine (Yungwirth) Caligiuri
Age 61, of Verona, PA, passed away peacefully, Wednesday, November 12, 2025.
Born in Penn Hills to the late Joseph and Loretta (Burns) Yungwirth, Loraine was a loving mother, grandmother, sister, and friend whose warmth and kindness touched everyone around her.
She is survived by her husband David Caligiuri; children, David Caligiuri Jr., Angela (Anthony) Iorio, and Kyle Caligiuri; her cherished grandchildren, Anthony and Alyssa Iorio; and her extended grandchildren, Lucas, Dominic, and Benny, who all brought her endless joy.
Loraine is also survived by her beloved siblings Joseph (Linda) Yungwirth, Marie (Michael) Lisanti, John (Betty Lou) Yungwirth, Vincent (Terry) Yungwirth, Richard (Sue) Yungwirth, and Steve (Shelly) Yungwirth; and was preceded in death by her sister Diana (George) Kosco. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews who loved her dearly.
Affectionately known as “Grandma Hat”, Loraine loved spending time at the cottage, being outdoors, and taking trips to the beach. She was extremely active and proudly attended all of her family’s activities, cheering from the stands with a smile and full heart.
Friends and family will be received in William F. Gross Funeral Home, LTD., 11735 Frankstown Rd. (at Rodi Rd.), Penn Hills on Monday, November 17, 2025 from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. A Funeral Service will be held at the funeral home on Tuesday, November 18, 2025 at 11 a.m.
Ruby B. Giles
Age 90, of Murrysville, passed away peacefully with her family by her side, Saturday, November 1, 2025. Beloved wife of the late Wardell Giles; mother of Marlon Giles, Leimond Giles, and Deirdre Giles; sister of Ruth Outler and several other late siblings. Also survived by numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. She was a very special woman that was deeply loved by her family and friends.
Service and interment private
Thomas K. “Thom” Shepler
Age 72, of Penn Hills, passed away Wednesday, November 5, 2025. Beloved husband of 48 years to Michele Shepler; father of Cori (Andrew) Tray; grandfather of McKenna Grace Tray; son of the late William and Dorothy Shepler. Thomas worked in healthcare for 56 years; 33 years at St. Francis Hospital and 23 years at Tri Rivers Musculoskeletal Centers. He was an avid toy train collector, a member of the Train Collectors Association, and was instrumental in starting the local area Hi-Railers train group. He was the president of the Corvette Club of Western Pennsylvania and loved to drive his 2001, Z06 Corvette on sunny days. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to a cancer charity of your choice.
Friends and family will be received in William F Gross Funeral Home, LTD., 11735 Frankstown Rd. (at Rodi Rd.), Penn Hills on Sunday, November 9, 2025 from 1 p.m. until the time of the Funeral Service at 3:45 p.m.
Jeans and a sweatshirt are appropriate attire, per Thom.
Frances Grazia (Caputo) Yancy
Of Penn Hills, passed away peacefully Wednesday, October 29, 2025, Wife of the late Agustus D. Yancy, Sr.; mother of Agustus D. “Gus” (Diane) Yancy, Jr., Theresa Maria Yancy, Carla Maria (Mark) Stanford and the late Christina Maria Yancy; grandmother of Nicholas, Daniel, Christopher, and Michael; step-grandmother of Alicia, Alexa, and DJ Condie; daughter of the late Ferdinando and Pia (DelFrate) Caputo; sister of the late Nancy Caputo, Norma J. DeRoma, and Mary G. “Babe” Sylvester.
Frances (Francesca) graduated from St. Mary’s of the Mount High School, then continued her education at Mount Mercy (Carlow University), where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Home Economics. Her first job was working at Mercy hospital as a Dietitian. It was there that she met her future husband, whom she had been married to for 18 years until his death.
Frances loved reading, an avid sports fan, gardening, and classic television shows. She loved cooking, baking, and teaching others family recipes, and reading multiple books at one time. Over the years, she has made close relationships with many people whom will miss her terribly, especially her laughter and smile.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
Service and interment private.