Ida Jean Westwood Mancinelli – Victory Hill, Monongahela
Ida Jean Westwood Mancinelli, 92, of Victory Hill, Monongahela, was called home to be with her Lord and Savior after a life well lived on Monday, Sept. 13, at home with her loving family by her side. She was born July 8, 1929, in Monongahela, the daughter of the late Albert and Elizabeth Collins Westwood. Ida grew up in the Great Depression era and during World War II. A graduate of Monongahela High School in 1946, she was vice president of her class. She very much enjoyed being on the planning committee of all her class reunions, the last one being the 70th in 2016. After high school, Ida worked for the A&P grocery store chain for over 20 years, in the office and also as a cashier. On Sept. 17, 1950, she married Spartico “Sparky” Mancinelli, who died on Aug. 18, 2018, one month short of 68 years of marriage and with whom she is now reunited and dancing in heaven. At age 40, Ida decided to go back to college to fulfill a dream her parents had wished she had done after high school. She graduated from California State College in 1973 with a Bachelor of Science in Education, along with her son, Joseph. She excelled while in college and earned the Joseph Kulikowski Memorial Award for Excellence in Elementary Education. Her proud parents attended the graduation ceremony. She later earned a master’s degree as a reading specialist. She was employed by the Ringgold School District for 21 years as a reading specialist and fourth-grade teacher at Valley Inn, Carroll Elementary and Gastonville Elementary Center, from where she retired in 1993. Ida was a member of the Victory Hill Ladies Auxiliary, New Eagle AARP’s “Sunshine Lady,” a past member of the Weatherettes Duckpin Bowling League and the Brunswick Senior and New Start Bowling Leagues. She also served as a deaconess and worship leader at the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Monongahela. She was also a former member of the Monongahela Women’s Club and Delta Kappa Gamma. Ida loved bowling (high game 242), sewing, golfing, writing poetry, family vacations to Orange Lake and Westgate Resorts in Florida, casino trips, planting flowers and was a beautiful quilter, especially her World War II quilt for her husband’s service to our country. She also enjoyed cooking her special roast beef, macaroni and cheese and pasta dinners, especially for her granddaughters, along with her famous chocolate cherry cake. She was a very loyal Pittsburgh Pirates fan, but also enjoyed the Steelers and Penguins games. Surviving are her devoted children, son and daughter-in-law, Joseph and Cindy of Fallowfield Township; daughter, Kathleen (Barry Vlanich) of Craven Hill; grandchildren, whom she loved dearly, Meghan (Zack) Neil of Finleyville and Melissa (Joe) Garuccio of Valencia; her much-loved great-grandsons, Brayden Robert and Conner Joseph Neil; her much-adored great granddaughter, Abigail Jean Garuccio; her sister-in-law, Evelyn Pellegrini Westwood; along with many special nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. She was preceded in death by her brother, Ernest Westwood in 2012 and her sister, Ruth Mucci in 2020. A special thanks for the compassion and kindness of Amedysis Hospice, especially Ashleigh, Cindy, Angelica, Mary, Taisha, Georgie, Kayla, Teryh and Pastor Larry; her devoted caregivers, Marcy, Diane, Tina and Marlene; and her furry caregiver, Scrubs. The family would also like to thank Dr. Kilpatrick and staff, Giant Eagle Pharmacy and Key Bank. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2021, at MARSHALL MARRA FUNERAL HOME, 216 Chess St., Monongahela, 724-258-6767, marshallmarrafuneralhome.com. Additional visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. A funeral service will take place at 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept, 16, at First Christian Church with Rev. Janet Scott-Mace officiating. Interment will follow at Monongahela Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to First Christian Church, 630 Sixth St., Monongahela, or the Victory Hill Ladies Auxiliary, 25 Jones Lane, Monongahela.
