Vera Albanese Instance, 170 Cedar Ave., Sharon, passed away at 12:35 p.m. Tuesday (10-18-11) in the hospital of Sharon Regional Health System after a brief illness. She was 79.

Vera was born September 8, 1932 in Sharon a daughter of the late Frank and Anna Remigio Albanese.

She attended St. Joseph Parochial Grade School, Sharon, and graduated in 1951 from Sharon High School where she was a majorette.

Vera retired as head cahier in the credit office of Sears Roebuck and Co., Shenango Valley Mall, Hermitage, where she was employed for 37 years.

She was a lifelong member of St. Joseph Church, Sharon. Vera enjoyed going to the Clarion River where she and her husband had a camp.

She was extremely devoted to her husband, former Sharon police officer, William Instance, whom she married February 16, 1957. He survives at the residence. Also surviving are: two sisters, Mary Russo and her husband Daniel, Farrell; and Gloria Nitzsky and her husband Roger, Girard, Ohio; a niece, Ann Marie Morocco and her husband James, Hermitage; two nephews, Gary Ustik and his wife Melissa, Hermitage; and Paul Wilson, Howland, Ohio; a great niece, Gina Grata and her husband Michael, Hermitage; a great nephew, Shane Wilson, Girard, Ohio; two great great nephews, Michael Grata and Nicholas Vuich; and a great great niece, Giana Grata.

Besides her parents, Vera was preceded in death by a sister, Jennie Sicilian.

Calling hours will be from 11:30 a.m. to time of service today (10-20-11) in J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 1090 E. State St., Sharon.

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

Funeral service will be 1 p.m. today (10-20-11) in the funeral home chapel with the Rev. Glenn R. Whitman, pastor of St. Joseph Church, Sharon, officiating.

Interment: St. Rose Cemetery, Hermitage.