Rose’s Obituary Rose Evlyn “Neen” Ridilla, 87, of Latrobe died peacefully Sunday, May 5, 2019 at her home, surrounded by her family. She was born August 12, 1931 in Youngstown, the daughter of Paul M. Kuhns and Elizabeth Miedel Kuhns. In addition to her parents, Rose was preceded in death in 2008 by her beloved husband of 60 years, Francis S. Ridilla Sr., with whom she eloped to Winchester, Va.
to get married in 1948. Rose helped run her father’s business, Kuhns Home Bakery in Youngstown, and was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church, the Holy Family Rosary Society, Red Cut Lodge Investment Club and multiple card clubs. Caring, compassionate and loving, Rose was perhaps happiest with a baby in her arms or a child on her lap — a frequent occurrence as she raised six children and more than 30 foster children, then enjoyed visits from 17 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren.
Rose devoted her life to caring for others, and was the matriarch of a family tree filled with many children and grandchildren called to caring professions in healthcare and human services. Seven of her descendants have the middle name Rose in her honor. Blessed with a natural sense of humor and an engaging personality, Rose could make anyone feel special and as though they were the most important person in the world.
She was a proud fan of her Pittsburgh sports teams and loved playing cards, visiting and vacationing with family, cooking and baking for others, hosting holiday parties, telling mostly accurate stories and unintentionally creating amusing “Neen”-isms for friends and family to enjoy. In addition to her parents and husband, Rose was preceded in death by siblings Paul F. Kuhns, Donald Kuhns, John Kuhns, Margaret Kabala, Patricia Laurich and daughter-in-law Karen Ridilla. She is survived by siblings Mary (William) Repper of Brooksville, Fl.
and Joseph (Nancy) Kuhns of Ocala, Fl. ; children Gloria (Robert) Murray and Francine (Robert) Burd, all of Latrobe, Francis (Joyce) Ridilla Jr. of Ebensburg, Susan (David) Deichert of Cambridge, Md. , Beth (Patrick) O’Neill of Latrobe and Mary (Al) Ghiorzi of Lovettsville, Va.
; grandchildren Carla Mattioli and Christy (Jason) West, all of Latrobe, Jenna Murray of Waynesburg, Justine (Greg) Reinbold of Latrobe, Robert “BJ” (Laura) Burd of Phoenixville, Lauren (Michael) Crowe and Amy (Randall) Miller, all of Greensburg, Cristian Ridilla of Nanty Glo, Stefan (Monica) Ridilla of Indiana, David Sobota, Sarah (Zachary) Tomich and Michael (Rose) Barchesky, all of Latrobe, Francis Barchesky (Whitney Swesey) of Norwalk Conn. , Katie (Sean) Manning of Irwin, Tomas Barchesky and Riley O’Neill, both of Latrobe, and Alfie Ghiorzi of Lovettsville, Va. , as well as 23 great-grandchildren.
She is also survived by sister-in-law Lisa Ridilla of Latrobe, in-laws Leonard (Mary) Ridilla of Latrobe and Madeline Ridilla of Ligonier, niece Frances “Dilly” (William) Temple of Henderson, N.C., numerous other nieces and nephews, special friends the “Card Ladies” and faithful canine companions Skippy and Casey. Family and friends will be received from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 PM Wednesday at the John J. Lopatich Funeral Home, Inc., 601 Weldon Street, Latrobe. The Holy Family Rosary Society will recite the Rosary at 2:30 pm Wednesday in the funeral home.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 AM Thursday at Holy Family Church with the Very Rev. Daniel C. Mahoney, V.F., as celebrant and Rev. Michael Polosky as co-celebrant.
Interment will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Latrobe. in John J. Lopatich Funeral Home Inc., 601 Weldon St., Latrobe. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Latrobe Area Historical Society, P.O. Box 266, Latrobe, PA 15650, or Arnold Palmer Cancer Center, 200 Village Drive, Greensburg, PA 15601.
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