Obituary of Dalene J. Wilkins

Mount Pleasant, Dalene Joy Wilkins, age 59 of Mount Pleasant, PA, died Monday (06/1/15) in Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA. Dalene was born October 28, 1955 in Mount Pleasant, PA, the daughter of Phyllis Mercurio Newell of Mount Pleasant and the late Dale Wilkins. She was a member of St. Pius X Roman Catholic Church of Mt. Pleasant. Dalene was a 1973 graduate of Mt. Pleasant Area High School, and received her degree in Education from Seton Hill College. She had also graduated from WCCC with her degree in nursing, and had worked as Paramedic coordinator for Jeannette Hospital from 1986 until 1987. Dalene was then employed by the Mt. Pleasant Area School District as an Art Teacher united her retirement in March of 2015. Dalene was active in the Mt. Pleasant Historical Society, and enjoyed photography, good coffee, jazz music and working in her flower garden. She was a loving mother, daughter and sister and a friend to many. Dalene is survived by her loving family: her mother Phyllis Newell, her children; Frank A. Ritter and Elizabeth of Pittsburgh, and Vanessa J. Ritter of Mt. Pleasant, and by her brother, Scott Wilkins and Debbie of Mt. Pleasant. She is also survived by her aunt, Joann Grindle and her cousin, Christette Grindle, both of Mt. Pleasant and by her grand puppy, Tigger Lou. In addition to her father, Dale Wilkins, she was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Frank and Josephine Mercurio and her paternal grandparents, Eugene and Cecil Wilkins. Family and friends will be received Thursday from 2 to 4 & 6 to 8 PM at the Galone-Caruso Funeral Home, 204 Eagle Street, Mount Pleasant. A blessing service will be held Friday at 9:30 AM in the funeral home, followed by her Funeral Mass at 10:00 AM in St. Pius X RC Church, Mount Pleasant, with the Rev. Richard J. Kosisko as celebrant. Interment will be in the St. Pius X Parish Cemetery, Mt. Pleasant. A parish wake service will be held in the funeral home Thursday at 3PM. To offer an online condolence, please visit our web site at: www.galone-carusofuneralhome.com