Mary (Cerra) Ventresca

Mary (Cerra) Ventresca, on October 8, 2022 at 88 years old passed away surrounded by her loving family at Arden Court of Monroeville. Mary was raised in Braddock, PA and attended Duquesne University where she majored in French and Spanish. Her goal was to be an international interpreter, but soon after graduation in 1957 she married her college sweetheart, Vincent Ventresca. Nine months later she became a mother and that became the heart and soul of her life. With so much love and affection Mary raised a family of five. She loved her children more than herself. Our house on Fairlawn Drive was an open door filled with friends, cousins and Sunday dinners. Everyone who entered the house felt her generosity through food. As her grandchildren were growing up, she became daycare every Monday and her love flourished from her children to her grandchildren. Pasta and meatballs on Sunday and chicken soup on Monday, this was a staple in Mary’s kitchen. Mary was a member of St. Bernadette Catholic Church for 55 years. Her faith and adoration for Jesus Christ was the foundation for everything she did. Mary was also a substitute teacher often working at Gateway School District. After her children were raised she became a travel agent and her love of languages came to use. She belonged to many prayer groups, bridge club as well as Spanish and French clubs. Mary is preceded in death by her husband Vincent Ventresca; her mother and father Natale and Luigina Cerra; as well as her sister Helen (Cerra) Cortese. She leaves behind her beloved children, David Ventresca (Jolene), Natalie McElhaney (Chook), Joseph Ventresca (Paul), Joyce Ventresca and Jean Markewinski (Dennis); her grandchildren, Stephen Lyon, Scott Lyon (Bethany), Andrea Castro Cara (Francisco), JJ Mignogna (Alana), Ryan Dormer, Maura Messer, Gary Messer, Jr., Lauren (Akira) Farmer, Kamaria Farmer, and Griffen McElhaney; her six great-grandchildren, Ava, Nico, Smith, Vienna, and Brooks Mignogna; and Brodie Lyon; as well as her brother-in-law, Eugene Ventresca and many nieces and nephews who all will miss her beautiful smile and loving heart. Friends will be received on Tuesday, October 11th from 2-4 & 6-9 p.m. at the GENE H. CORL FUNERAL CHAPEL INC. AND CREMATION SERVICES OF MONROEVILLE, 4335 Northern Pike (412-372-2100). Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, October 12, 2022, at Christ the Divine Shepherd Parish at St. Bernadette Church, 245 Azalea Drive, Monroeville. Interment following at New St. Joseph Cemetery. Condolences to the family may be made at www.corlfuneralchapel.com.