Josephine A. Pietrocola's Obituary
Josephine A. (Rich) Pietrocola, 86, of Alliance, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, March 26, 2023 at 10:35 pm at Cleveland Clinic Mercy Hospital in Canton.
Born on July 4, 1936 in Salem, Ohio to Nick and Ann (DiBiase-Micketti) Rich, she lived in Alliance all of her life.
Josephine was a member of Regina Coeli Catholic Church where she was a Sacristan. She was also a member of their Altar and Rosary Society and the Catholic Women's Club.
She was a 1954 graduate of Alliance High School and her class Valedictorian. She also attended Mt. Union College on an Academic Scholarship.
Josephine was employed at Mt. Union Bank as a bookkeeper, retiring in 1965 after the birth of her only daughter and became a full-time mother and homemaker.
She was a member of the Knights of Columbus #558 Ladies Auxiliary, BPO Elks #467 Widows Club, Friends of Rodman Public Library, Alliance Historical Society, Castle Crusaders, Bel-Joy Card Club, Alliance Senior Citizens Center and the Alpha Chi Omega Sorority/Alumni (Beta Psi Beta).
She was actively involved in the Alliance Booster Club, Alliance Mother's Club and the Aviator Sports Boosters. Josephine was an avid supporter of Alliance City Schools and athletics, especially football, baseball and swimming, and was a longtime season ticket holder for football and basketball. She was also a big Mt. Union Football fan and a season ticket holder and was a huge supporter of the MUC/UMU/AHS Cheer Teams.
Josephine, along with her husband Nick, served as Carnation Festival Queen Chaperone in 1991. She was a hostess and backstage volunteer for the Carnation Festival Fashion Show, and served on the AAYC/RYC Queen and King Pageant Committee.
“Toots”, as she was lovingly referred to by family and friends, always looked forward to the yearly family trips to Disney and being part of whatever her family was doing. Her grandsons and great-grandsons were the light of her life.
Survivors include her daughter, Stephanie (Craig) Unckrich of Alliance; two grandsons, Corey (Clare) Unckrich of Alliance and Michael Unckrich of Alliance; two great-grandsons, Nicholas and Jacob; a brother, James Rich of Alliance; her niece, Shelly (Jon) Christopherson; nephew, Todd (Renee) Rich; brother-in-law, Fred Kirven of Brunswick; nieces Colleen (Dan) Lucarell and Carrie (Dave) Huspaska; and many great/great-great nieces and nephews; and cousins.
Preceding her in death was her husband, Nick R. Pietrocola, whom she married on May 12, 1956 and died on March 4, 2017; her parents; three sisters-in-law, Sharon Rich, Joanna Pietrocola and Elma Kirven.
The family will receive friends on Friday, March 31, 2023 from 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm at Sharer-Stirling-Skivolocke Funeral Home.
Her Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, April 1, 2023 at 10:00 am at Regina Coeli Catholic Church, with Rev. G. David Weikart, as celebrant. Burial will immediately follow at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery.
Memorial contributions are suggested to Pietrocola Family Scholarship, payable to the Alliance High School Foundation, PO Box 3123, Alliance, Ohio 44601.
You are invited to view Josephine's tribute wall, offer condolences and share memories at www.sharerfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are by the Sharer-Stirling-Skivolocke Funeral Home.
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