Teresa (Ciorra) Giarnelli
96 years young, of Penn Hills, passed away peacefully in her sleep with loved ones by her side on Friday, August 6, 2021. Daughter of the late Giuesippi and Adeline Ciorra; wife of the late Armand Giarnelli; mother of Gene (Eleanor) Giarnelli, Pat Morefield, and the late Dennis (surviving Mary “Dolly”) Giarnelli; grandmother of Donna (Kevin) Cassidy, Anthony (Adrienne) Giarnelli, Leslie (Tim) Bartlebaugh, Brittany (Tom) Cushing, and Natalie (Dan) Tyner; great-grandmother of Patrick, Zachary, Noelle, Caris, McKenzie, and Dennis; proceeded in death by her 6 brothers and sisters.
Teresa loved her family and whether you just stopped by or it was a holiday, Teresa had to feed you. She was an amazing cook and passed many recipes down to her family. You could tell Teresa was baking when you pulled in the driveway and those wonderful smells hit you; from Easter bread to anise cookies and biscotti. We will miss those smells especially at Christmas. Teresa was the life of the party. To know her was to love her. This big crazy family has memories that will live in our hearts forever. Teresa loved to travel. She always had her bags packed and was ready to go. Teresa also loved bingo, the casino, and playing cards. She was an amazing seamstress and made or altered anything you asked for. Teresa spent many years volunteering at the Penn Hills Senior Center and Saint Gerard’s Fish Fry. Teresa was a 50-year member of Ladies Lodge of the Spigno Saturnia Italo American Society. Teresa will be loved and missed by all who knew her. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society at PO Box 98018, Washington, DC 20090-8018 or to the Alzheimer’s Association at 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601.
Friends received at William F. Gross Funeral Home 11735 Frankstown Rd. (at Rodi Rd.), Penn Hills Wednesday, August 18, 2021 from 2 p.m. until 8 p.m. The family is requiring that everyone please wear a mask. Funeral prayers will be held at the funeral home on Thursday, August 19, 2021 at 9:45 a.m. followed by a mass of Christian Burial at Holy Family Parish St. Joseph Church at 10:30 a.m. Live streaming of the mass will also be available.