Dena Gazza – Belle Vernon
Obituaries
June 21, 2019

Dena Gazza – Belle Vernon

By obits

 

Dena Gazza, formerly of Belle Vernon, passed peacefully on June 20, 2019, at age 93. Born in Belle Vernon March 31, 1926, Dena was the daughter of Arthur and Mary Tredici Vannucci and the fourth of four children. She was a graduate of Belle Vernon High School and a lifelong resident of Belle Vernon. Dena was the beloved wife of the late Louis Gazza, a sergeant with the Pennsylvania State Police, with whom she shared 67 years of marriage. She worked over 35 years at Lee Norse Company in Charleroi. Dena was a woman of many talents and achievements. During her early years, she loved roller skating, skiing, horseback riding and dancing. She was an avid golfer, a talented painter and achieved the rank of master in bridge. Along with her husband, they ran a successful antique restoration business. Above all, Dena loved her roles as wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and aunt. Dena is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Jayne (Charles) Kelly and Janet (Ray) Gazza Pietras; grandchildren, Christyn Kelly Weber, Erin Kelly and Michael Kelly; great-grandchildren, Lucas, Camryn and Ryan Weber; and several nieces and nephews. The family will greet friends from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 23, 2019, at FERGUSON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY INC., 700 Broad Ave., Belle Vernon. Funeral services will begin at 4 p.m. Sunday, www.FergusonFuneralHomeAndCrematory.com, 724-929-5300. Private entombment will be in Belle Vernon Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation, 110 E. 42nd St., 16th Floor, New York, NY 10017, 1-800-259-4636.

Christians mark Ash Wednesday
Latest News, Main
February 19, 2026
Many Christians headed to church yesterday for Ash Wednesday services. It also marks the beginning of Lent —the 40-day period of abstinence and self restraint leading up to Easter. Ashes are placed on...
Veterans working to resurrect VFW post in Charleroi
Latest News, Main
By TAYLOR BROWN, Senior Reporter 
February 19, 2026
The former Charleroi VFW Arden Calvert Post closed its doors Dec. 31, 2013, but local veterans got approval to start a new Veterans of Foreign Wars charter. More than a decade after Charleroi lost its...
It’s ‘offishially’ fish fry season in the Mon Valley
Latest News, Main
By LADIMIR GARCIA lgarcia@yourmvi.com 
February 19, 2026
Churches, fire departments and community organizations across the Valley heated up the fryers for the Ash Wednesday kickoff to the Lenten fish fry season. Ash Wednesday, which also signifies the start...
Elizabeth Forward to seek appraisals for elementary school properties
Latest News, Main
By SARAH PELLIS spellis@yourmvi.com 
February 19, 2026
The school board is also moving forward with a local tax abatement program. Several motions were added to Elizabeth Forward School Board’s regular meeting agenda following the workshop meeting last we...
Rivers remain below flood levels despite snowmelt
Around The Valley, Latest News, Main
February 19, 2026
Allegheny County Emergency Services officials are closely watching ice movement along the Yough. By the MVI Valley emergency providers and public safety officials are keeping a close watch on river le...
City Mission to host annual Sweet Sunday Event with a savory twist
Around The Valley, Features
February 19, 2026
The 32nd annual event is set for Sunday at Hilton Garden Inn at Southpointe. For the MVI City Mission will host its biggest — and sweetest — fundraiser on Sunday. The 32nd annual Sweet and Savory Sund...