MONA RIO ANTONELLI Mona Rio Antonelli, 90, of Monongahela, passed away into the peaceful arms of Our Lord, Thursday evening, September 10, 2020. She was the beautiful daughter of Anna Cecilia Bartelli and Elmer Campa of Spanish Donora. She was born November 24, 1929, and spent her early years with her (Italian) grandparents, Lucia and Angelo Bartelli, her uncle Guido and their Shelty named Rex, in the hillside home of Black Diamond. As a young bride, she would live in the bucolic, meadowed streams of Poplar Hollow, where she made lifetime loving friends. She lived a long and enduring life, outliving childhood and contemporary friends as the Matriarch of her Family. She was content with her life in Mon City and said she should never leave Monongahela because her name MONA was in it'. Mona means Noble - and never was that more befitting than when she would ride through the scenic Monongahela Cemetery sacredly recalling hand carved family names with inspiring memories of their past. She was a gifted Calligraphy writer, a spontaneous reader, a loyal Wheel of Fortune fan, and a prize winning lemon meringue pie baker. Mona was an only child - friends and neighbors were very important to her, especially a graceful and beautiful friend named Molly Kotecki, of Finleyville. They would enjoy years of friendship in each other's namesake
Mona and Molly. They spent productive years at the Monongahela Senior Center, as Site Committee Members, social and activity volunteers and bingo winners. Mona won the 2012 Washington County Senior Spelling Championship Contest and a Congressional Award for her Super Senior Spaghetti Sauce Recipe. She was known as a Card Team Tournament Award Recipient and a Canasta shark. She was a Monongahela Valley Hospital Retiree, from the Dietary Department. She was truly a social worker' wherever she went. Forever did she love her Catholic Faith. So much that she and her husband sent their children to the first open classes at Saint Anthony Catholic School on Park Avenue. She was a lifetime member of Saint Anthony's Parish, being baptized in 1930, she lived to see her children and grandchildren; Adrian A. Plesha and Michael Joseph Antonelli, receive that sacrament inside its Holy Doors. As a member of Christian Mothers and the Altar Rosary Society, she attended Transfiguration, St. Damien of Molokai and Our Lady of the Valley, through all the Diocesan changes. She would say from a front row seat, how lovely it is on the altar'. In later years, she would enjoy rides through the peaceful Monongahela Cemetery to visit the hand carved stones of her grandparents, mother and beloved husband and son. She would look for the quiet deer, the scampering squirrels, to elude her Veteran driver and endearing companion Ray Cleaver, who cared for her in final days. She spent respite time at Victoria House, in Monessen, PA, where she benefitted from the vigilant care of Baby' Ruth, and her dedicated staff. She recovered from 2 hip fractures and appreciated face-time and distant visits from her grandsons and great-grandchildren, from the West Coast and Mid-West. She finished life the way she lived it, with her continence to herself. She is survived by her daughter, Suzanne M. Plesha of Greensburg; her faithful daughter-in-law, Debra J. Antonelli; her devoted family companion, Ray Cleaver; her grandsons, Adrian A. Plesha (Kareen), and Michael J. Antonelli (Liz); and great-grandsons, Adrian Anthony, and E. Jay Plesha. Preceding her in death were her beloved husband, Domenic F. Antonelli, and her loving son, Dominic R. Antonelli and her exceptional son-in-law, Tony Plesha. Her family members would like to thank the beautiful clergy team at St. Andrew the Apostle for their tender mercy and support; Fr. Kevin, for anointing her when she needed him, Deacon Al for greeting her, and Fr. Pat for attending her 90th birthday party. They paved and steadied the way for her sweet transitions, always kind and welcoming. We would also like to thank Amedisys Hospice and Dr. Joseph Michael and his staff for unflinching care and comfort. A grateful and appreciative thank you for all Mona's family and friends who attended her 90th birthday celebration. You made her home and heart a dwelling place. Mona's family will receive friends and neighbors on Wednesday, September 16, 2020, from 11:00 a.m. until noon in St. Andrew the Apostle Parish, 722 W. Main Street, Monongahela. We then ask that you stay and join us in prayer for her Mass of Christian Burial which will begin at noon, followed by a committal service at the Monongahela Cemetery. Memorial Contributions may be sent to St. Andrew The Apostle Parish or the Monongahela Cemetery Chapel Restoration Project. In order to be compliant with our county and state guidelines, masks MUST be worn and social distancing maintained. The family would like to thank you in advance for your understanding. THE FRYE FUNERAL HOME, INC., is in charge of the arrangements. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.fryefuneralhome.com. Send condolences post-gazette.com/gb