Patricia “Patti” Tonarelli- Bigi was a caring wife, mother, grandmother, sister, godmother and friend. She left this world on April 14, 2024, at the age of 77. Her battle with cancer in recent months proved her courage and her ability to face life’s challenges with dignity and remain faithful through the end. Patti graduated from Rostraver High School in 1964, then completed her bachelor’s degree in education at Glenville State College. For 28 years, she was a home economics teacher at Monongahela High and Belle Vernon Area High School. She was proud of her school and students and thrived on sharing her passion for teaching with thousands over the years. Patti was born on Oct. 4, 1946, to Michael and Rose Procaccini-Guzzie. On June 21, 2002, she married Herman Bigi of Charleroi, and together they traveled, made wine and loved having family and friends around their table. She was predeceased by her parents; sister, Michelle Guzzie; her godfather. William Procaccini; and her husband, Gerald Tonarelli, whom she was blessed to have two children with and share 24 years of a loving marriage. Patti’s delight was in her family. She loved spending time in the kitchen, sharing delicious home-cooked meals with family and friends with a glass of wine in hand. Sharing time with her grandchildren was very special. Patti was an active member of Epiphany of Our Lord Church in Monessen, where she participated in Bible study, was a member of Epiphany Ladies and made pirogies and worked the Lenten fish fries. She was also a member of the Red Hat Society and was a past committee member for the Washington County Community Foundation. Patti is survived by her husband, Herman Bigi; sister, Judith Guzzie-Mullen (Patrick); sons, John (Susan) and Jeff (Elizabeth) Tonarelli; John (Lori) Bigi; Jennifer Bigi; as well as grandchildren, Michael and Maria Tonarelli, Nicholas and Anthony Tonarelli, Amelia Bigi-Geskin and Marie Bigi. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Michael’s Warriors (www.michaelswarriors.org) or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html). Friends will be received from 1 to 3 and from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, April 18, 2024, at DALFONSO-BILLICK FUNERAL HOME INC. AND CREMATION SERVICES, 441 Reed Ave., Monessen. Services will be held Friday, April 19, 2024, beginning in the funeral home with a blessing service at 9:30 a.m., followed by a funeral Mass at 10 a.m. at Epiphany of Our Lord Church, with the Rev. Michael J. Crookston and the Rev. Ronald L. Simboli officiating. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery. Condolences are being accepted for the family at www.dalfonso-billick.com.
