Shirley J. Messina of Garden Way Apartments, Hermitage, formerly of Connelly Manor, Sharon, then Dutch Lane Hermitage, passed away peacefully 3:35 p.m. Friday (8- 20-10) in UPMC Horizon, Greenville, following an extended illness. She was 81.

Mrs. Messina was born May 3, 1929, in Sharon, a daughter of William David and Chloe May Davidson Hopkins.

A lifelong area resident, she was a member of Sharon High School's graduating class of 1947.

Shirley retired from the former Howell Industries, Masury, where she worked for close to 20 years. Previously she worked at Montgomery Ward's former Hermitage department store, and the former Sharon Store in downtown Sharon. Prior to her marriage, she worked at the former Sharon Transformer Division of Westinghouse Electric Corp.

A homemaker, Shirley was a member of St. Stanislaus Kostka-Holy Trinity Church, Sharon, and was a former member of Church of the Sacred Heart, also Sharon, where she belonged to the Mother's Club. She enjoyed bowling and belonged to the couples bowling league at Thornton Hall, Sharon, and the morning ladies leagues at Hickory Bowl, Hermitage, and Sunset Lanes in Farrell.

Shirley also enjoyed crocheting, reading, playing Mah Jong at the Shenango Valley Senior Community Center, Hermitage, and baking nut rolls and nut tassies. She loved to play cards and belonged to several card clubs through the years.

Most of all, Shirley found her greatest joy by simply spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who will sadly miss her.

Her husband, Vincent Joseph Messina, whom she married April 22, 1950, in Church of the Sacred Heart, Sharon, passed away May 17, 1993.

She is survived by: her two daughters, Patricia Ann Sinkuc and her husband Joseph, Sharon; and Jeanine Louise Scherrer and her husband Guy, Hampton, Va.; six sons, Vincent J. Messina and his wife Ranee, Montgomery, Ohio; Kenneth R. Messina and his wife Cherie, Sharon; Dennis M. Messina and his wife Julie, Springfield, Ohio; Joseph M. Messina and his wife Mary Ann, Springfield, Ohio; Michael J. Messina and his wife Patty, Sharon; and David C. Messina and his wife Tammy, Hampton, Va.; a sister, Billie Joyce Rodgers, New Castle; 21 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by her father; her mother, Chloe May Rodgers; two sisters, Ethel Brown and Marian Parker; and her stepfather, Carl Rodgers.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to St. Stanislaus Kostka?Holy Trinity Church, 370 Spruce Ave.; or to Mealson- Wheels in care of Christ Lutheran Church, 396 Buhl Blvd., both Sharon, PA 16146; or to a charity of the donor's choice.

Calling hours: 4 to 7 p.m. Monday (8-23-10) in J. BRADLEY McGONIGLE FUNERAL HOME and CREMATORY Inc., 1090 E. State St., Sharon, with the Rosary recited at 6:45 p.m.

Condolences may be sent to www.McGonigleFuneralHomeandCrematory.com

Service: Mass of Christian burial at 11 a.m. Tuesday (8-24-10) in St. Stanislaus Kostka-Holy Trinity Church, 370 Spruce Ave., Sharon, with the Rev. Stanley J. Swacha, pastor, as celebrant. A brief prayer service will be held at 10:30 a.m. in the funeral home prior to leaving for the church.

Interment: Next to her husband in St. Mary's Cemetery, Hermitage. 11105
Betty Lou Metz, 52 S. Mercer Ave., Sharpsville, formerly of Sharon, passed away at 11:10 p.m. Monday (4-18-11) at her home. She was 77.

Mrs. Metz was born June 18, 1933 in Sharon a daughter of Wallace and Edna Mae Green Moore.

Betty Lou was raised in Sharon and attended Sharon High School.

She began her career as a nurse's aid at Sharon Regional Health System where she was employed for 23 years and moved to Mesa, Arizona in 1987 where she worked for the Friendship Village Nursing Home. Betty Lou returned to the Shenango Valley in 1991 and continued working in the same capacity for MCAR as well as private duty.

She was a member of Sts. Peter and Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church, Sharon. Betty Lou enjoyed reading, dancing and the holidays. She also liked to travel and one of her fondest memories was being in London when Lady Diana and Prince Charles were married. Betty Lou was very caring and helped anyone she could. She will be remembered for her many acts of kindness and her frequent letters she wrote to family and friends.

Surviving are: two daughters, Audrey Szakach, Sharon; and Vicki Mackin and her husband Shawn, Brookfield; two sons, Christopher Sabol, Sharon; and Bruce Sabol and his wife Linda, Hermitage; two grandsons, David and Christopher Sabol; three granddaughters, Jill Baldinelli, Jody Walker and Jackie Black; twelve great grandchildren; and 2 great great grandchildren.

Besides her parents, Betty Lou was preceded in death by two husbands, John Sabol and Thomas Metz; a brother, Wallace Moore; and a granddaughter, Amber Lynn Boles.

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to Sts. Peter and Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church, Stambaugh Ave., Sharon, PA 16146.

Calling hour will be from 10 a.m. until the time of service Friday (4-22-11) in Sts. Peter and Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church, Sharon.

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

Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Friday (4-22-11) in the church with the Rev. Jeffrey M. Harter, pastor, officiating.

Interment: Oakwood Cemetery, Hermitage.

Arrangements by J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 1090 E. State St., Sharon.