Verna R. Picciotto, of Farrell, passed away of natural causes at 6:36 p.m. Saturday, December 22, 2018, in the Sharon Regional Medical Center.  She was 95.

Mrs. Picciotto was born December 9, 1923, in Farrell, a daughter of the late Nicola and Anna (Caruso) Galarde.  She was a lifelong Farrell resident and a 1941 alumna of Farrell High School.

Verna began her working career at the former Ben Franklin and G.C. Murphy stores in Farrell and later took the bus to Sharon where she was employed by Montgomery Ward.  She then joined the family businesses, Pic Electric and The Lighting Gallery in Farrell, where she was an exceptional sales lady and enjoyed working alongside her sisters-in-law, Tootie and Ida.  She and Tootie, who were best friends, worked together for 70 years before they retired in 2013, both at the age of 90.

A devout Catholic and spiritual lady, Verna was a lifelong active member of Our Lady of Fatima Church, Farrell, where she was a charter member of the Bethony Club and worked the fish fries for many years.  She also participated in the Thursday evening Sacred Heart Holy Hour and in the makings of St. Anthony's Procession.

Verna was extremely devoted to her family whom she called her "Greatest Blessings."  She loved family traditions and the holidays, particularly Christmas, and looked forward to Sunday dinner and Sunday "funday."  Verna also had a passion for food and loved to bake.  She was well known for her delicious pumpkin pies, Easter bread and many other delicacies.  Years earlier, she enjoyed oil painting, needlepoint and her Bridge Club, and most recently, was an avid Pittsburgh Steelers fan.

Verna was a charismatic lady who had a genuine concern for others.  Her compassion and sincerity for the less fortunate never wavered.  Verna grew up on Emerson Avenue in Farrell where she met her husband of 56 years, Carl Anthony Picciotto.  They were married June 3, 1947 in the former St. Anthony's Church, Farrell, and he preceded her in death on June 29, 2003.

A loving daughter, wife, mother, grandmother and sister, she is survived by her daughter, who adored her, Judy P. Carpenter and her husband Wally, of Sharon; three grandchildren whom she adored, Wally C. Carpenter and his wife Jaclyn; Annie J. Carpenter; and Carl A. Carpenter; a brother, Nick A. Galarde, of Hermitage; and several loving nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.

Besides her parents and husband, Verna was preceded in death by a sister, Rosaria Donatelli and her husband Frank; two brothers-in-law, William Picciotto and his wife Ida; and Francis Picciotto and his wife Phyllis "Tootie;" and a sister-in-law, Edith (Mercurio) Galarde.

The family suggests memorial contributions be directed to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 www.donors@stjude.org.

Calling hours will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, December 26, 2018, in J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 1090 E. State St., Sharon.

Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be noon Thursday, December 27, 2018, in Our Lady of Fatima Church, Farrell, with Rev. Matthew Ruyechan, pastor, as celebrant.

Interment: St. Anthony's Cemetery, Hermitage.