ROBERTA DEFRANCIS

Roberta, known as Miss D to her many students, was a long-time physical education teacher and dance instructor at Weir High School in Weirton. She also coached softball for many seasons at Weir High, winning two state of West Virginia championships, along with a runner-up title. Her softball legacy was cemented when Hancock County Schools named its new women’s softball field at Weir High the Roberta “Birdie” DeFrancis Field.

She volunteered for decades with the Weirton Campfire Girls organization, serving on its board and working for many years as the director of Camp Garcia, the summer outdoor camping experience located in New Manchester, WV.

Roberta was a sports enthusiast, staying engaged with and informed about numerous teams and individuals. She herself excelled at golf and bowling. She always cared about her yard and the small gardens she planted and tended at the home on Marland Heights where she grew up.

She is survived by her twin brother, Robert, and his wife Patricia of Wheeling and their children, Preston DeFrancis and his wife Becca of Los Angeles, CA and Anna Swisher and her husband Christopher of Fuquay-Varina, NC. Roberta was a doting great aunt to their children, 7-year-old Adelaide Rose Swisher and 1- year old Jonah Stone DeFrancis. Roberta was close to her many cousins and had steadfast friends throughout her life.

Visitation will be held Friday 4-8pm at Greco-Hertnick Funeral Home, 3219 Main Street, Weirton, WV, where additional visitation will be held Saturday from 10 until 11am Funeral Liturgy of the Word. The Reverend Father Binu Sebastian will officiate. Entombment will follow in St. Paul’s Cemetery, Weirton.

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