CATHERINE VELLA
Catherine M. Vella of Mingo Junction, OH passed away on Wednesday, May 21, 2025. She was born on August 16, 1937 in Irwin, PA the first child of Raimondo and Theresa (Yannuzzo) Parello. She is preceded in death by her parents, her brother Raymond Parello, and her husband of 63 years, John Vella Sr.
She was an incredible mother and is survived by her four children: son Fred J (Patricia) Vella and grandson Fred P of Pittsburgh, PA; son John Jr. (Janine) Vella grandchildren Francesca and Giovanni of Wexford, PA; Theresa A (Craig) Reese of Murrysville, PA; and Catherine A (Tom) Martin of Donora, PA.
She was a graduate of St. Augustine High School in Lawrenceville, PA in 1955. Soon afterward, she worked for Mine Safety until she met her husband and moved to Mingo Jct. to start her life as a wife and mother. A role that she made her very own and she felt was her greatest accomplishment in life.
She learned how to cook and bake from her mother-in-law, Mary Vella, and great aunt, Jennie Vella, who immigrated to the US from Palermo, Italy. It didn’t take long before she mastered the art of Italian cuisine while raising four children with dishes she learned from the old country. Every Sunday morning started off with a pot of tomato sauce and meatballs. The smell of garlic and basil was the alarm clock that would wake the family up before church. Tomatoes were canned in the fall, enough for an entire year and became a family tradition with everyone involved. Food was love and Catherine provided enough for everyone.
She was a lifelong member of St. Peter Catholic Church in Steubenville, OH. She was raised with a faith-based education and wanted the same for her four children. She taught through example the importance of having God in your life and the power of prayer to both Mary and Jesus to help work through the challenging times that life may offer.
Visitation will be held Tuesday from 2-5 p.m. at the Mosti Funeral Home, Sunset Chapel, 4435 Sunset Blvd., Steubenville. A funeral liturgy with Mass will be held Wednesday at 10 a.m. at St. Peter Catholic Church. Burial will follow in Mt. Calvary Cemetery.
Offer condolences, www.mostifuneral home.com