Myrtle I. Caracci, 1 High St., Sharpsville, passed away peacefully at 9:43 p.m. Tuesday (6-22-10) in UPMC Horizon Hospital, Farrell. She was 91.

Mrs. Caracci was born October 21, 1918 in Sligo, PA a daughter of the late David and Alice Elvira Myers Blair.

'Mert' as she was known by many, moved to the area in the 1940's and was a waitress for many years at the former Erme's Inn and the former Sunrise Inn, both Sharpsville.

She and her husband Julius were longtime active members at the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post # 6404, Sharpsville. In 1955 they were instrumental in the construction of the current post home and for many years volunteered many hours to ensure the success of the post. Mert was a charter lifetime member and past president of its' Ladies Auxiliary and assisted with many fundraising projects throughout the years. She gave her heart and soul preparing and catering dinners at the post and will be remembered by many for her luscious homemade pies and bread. Mert started a Teachers Recognition Day for the teachers in the Sharpsville Area School District, which was held at the post on the first Wednesday of May each year, and honored them with an apple, a corsage and a delicious dinner. She was also a past president of the Mercer County Council VFW Ladies Auxiliary (1953-1954); District 28 VFW Ladies Auxiliary (1954-1955); and a twenty five year member of the Department of Pennsylvan!

ia's VFW Ladies Auxiliary Past District President's Club. Mert was a member of St. Bartholomew Church; the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary, Post # 162, both Sharpsville; and the Catholic Daughters of America, Court # 507, Sharon. She was a lifetime honorary member of the Sharpsville Service Club where she and her friend Ethel Stevenson helped make Santa Claus suits and homemade popcorn balls for many years. Whenever anyone needed a helping hand with a fundraiser they knew they could count on Mert. She never knew the word 'no'.

Her first husband, Michael Toten, whom she married in 1940, passed away on March 29, 1945. Her second husband, Julius P. Caracci, whom she married February 19, 1948, passed away February 18, 2006.

Surviving are: a son, Charles M. Toten, Sharpsville; four daughters, Judith A. Soloski and her husband Joseph, Farrell; Josephine Lightweis Brown, Junction City, Kansas; Julia Marie Dever and her husband Edward and Martha J. 'Marty' McCutcheon and her husband John Dennis, all Sharpsville; a niece whom she raised, Connie Wingard, St. Petersburg, PA; fourteen grandchildren, Michael Walker, Buffalo, NY; Michael Soloski, Farrell; Joseph Chiavazza, Sharpsville; Bonnie Jean Lightweis, Simpsonville, SC; Karen Buchanon, Seneca, SC; Christopher Brown, Junction City, KS; Robert McGraw, Clearwater, FL; Lawrence McGowan, Jr., Cottontown, TN; Crysta McGowan, Port Richey, FL; Jennifer and Michelle Kennedy, both Ft. Myers, FL; Lori Beth Taylor, Masury, Ohio; Shawn Taylor, Marietta, GA; and Ryan McCutcheon, Sharpsville; 9 great grandchildren, Jordan and Jessica Walker, both Buffalo; Danielle and Isabella Soloski, both Farrell; Anthony Julius and Joanne Chiavazza, both Sharpsville; Brittany !

and Brandon Buchanon, both Seneca, SC; and Chase Kennedy, Ft. Myers, FL.

Besides her parents and husbands, Myrtle was preceded in death by three daughters, Joanne M. Chiavazza; Eugenia 'Jeannie' B. Witzigman; and Mary Ann Kennedy; a grandson, Clayton I. Walker; two brothers, John and Paul Blair; and two sisters, Elizabeth Wingard; and Bessie A. Wenner.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Sharpsville Volunteer Fire/Rescue Department, P.O. Box 24; or to the elevator fund in c/o St. Bartholomew Church, 311 Ridge Ave., both Sharpsville, PA 16150.

Calling hours will be from 4-8 p.m. Friday (6-25-10) in J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 1090 E. State St., Sharon.

Friends may email condolences by visiting www.McGonigleFuneralHomeandCrematory.com.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Saturday (6-26-10) in St. Bartholomew Church, Sharpsville, with the Rev. John S. Lynch, former pastor, as celebrant.

Interment: Hillcrest Memorial Park, Hermitage.