Antoinette Suppa
Antoinette Suppa, a young 91, passed directly into heaven on Saturday, March 20, 2021. She was known as “Grandma Toni,” “Aunt Toni” and “Mom” and she was a strong active woman who was taken down by COVID-19. She was born on Aug. 19, 1929, in Monessen, one of four daughters to the late Santo and Marie Barbetta DiBiase. Antoinette was a 1947 graduate of Monessen High School, a member of Epiphany of Our Lord Church and the Italian-American Heritage Society. Not one to shy away from politics, she worked for various candidates and was president of the North Italian Political Association. Toni was an incredibly hard-working person and expected nothing less from others. Her jobs included being a sales person at the Jenny Shop, clerk at Dominic’s Fruit Market and car wash attendant. She was a friendly home visitor for Westmoreland County Area Agency on Aging, where she was named Volunteer of the Year for her hard work. She taught us many lessons, strength, toughness and tolerance. She helped many children of all colors to read at her kitchen table. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, James Suppa in 1992; a granddaughter, who was gone to soon at the age of 33, Robyn A. George; and two sisters, Esther Pabis and Nelli Phillippi. Left to cherish her memory are her two daughters, Janet (Robert W.) George and Mary Jo (Ronald) Panepinto; the lights of her life, her grandchildren, Ryan (Krista) George and Lucia Panepinto; great-grandsons, Ruxin James George, Kazden Lane George and Neiko Panepinto; a sister, Rose Marie Gironda; a special niece, Debbie (Rick) Kozar and their children Amanda and Josh; nephew and godson, Tom Suppa; and by nieces and nephews. She always told us, “There are good and bad in all kinds of people.” Remember her life, be kind, be tough, “Be a Toni.” Private viewing was held at DALFONSO-BILLICK FUNERAL HOME INC. AND CREMATION SERVICES, 441 Reed Ave., Monessen, followed by a funeral Mass in Epiphany of Our Lord Church with the Rev. Michael J. Crookston officiating. Entombment followed in Belle Vernon Cemetery Mausoleum. Condolences accepted for the family at www.dalfonso-billick.com.
