Frances Deronja, Hermitage, and formerly of Farrell, passed away peacefully at 7:40 a.m. Tuesday (7-27-10) at her residence following an extended illness. She was 101.

Mrs. Deronja was born on August 7, 1908 in Croatia, Yugoslavia to Steve and Anastasia Novakovich Neral. She became a naturalized citizen on November 9, 1938.

She was a homemaker and lifelong member of St. Anthony's Church, Sharon.

She belonged to the Confraternity of Christian Mothers, St .Theresa Altar Society and the Croatian Fraternal Union Lodge 3029.

Her husband, Marko Deronja, whom she married September 1, 1926, in St. Anthony's Church, passed away on October 26, 1951.

She is survived by her daughter, Mary Deronja, Farrell, her son Frank Deronja and Emily, Springfield VA, her sister, Ann Zurko, Brookfield, and son in law Patrick M. Dever, Sharpsville, her grandchildren, Patrick Brian Dever, Glen Burnie, Maryland, Mark John Dever, Silver Springs, Maryland, and Frank Deronja II and his wife Cristin, Raleigh NC, two granddaughters, Cherie Sharp and her husband Kevin of Newport Beach, CA, and Cathleen Phelps and her husband Bill, Alexandria, VA, and nine great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her daughter, Margaret Dever, and her son Mark Deronja, four sisters, Mary Neral, Helen Golubic, Catherine Morocco, and Barbara Lakatos and two brothers Steve and Alex Neral.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Anthony's Church 804 Idaho Street, Sharon, Pa. 16146

Calling hours: 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday (7-29-10) in the J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory Inc. 1090 E. State Street, Sharon. Condolences may be sent by visiting www.McGonigleFuneralHomeandCrematory.com

Services: Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Friday (7-30-10) in the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Cemetery Chapel at Memorial Drive and Sharon New Castle Road, with Rev. Daniel J. Kresinski, pastor of St. Anthony's Church as celebrant.

Interment: Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Cemetery, Hermitage.