Alvina May LoPresti

Alvina May LoPresti, age 84, of New Philadelphia, went to be with the Lord, on Monday, June 13, 2011, in Aultman Hospital at Canton.A daughter of the late Louis M. and Josephine E. Fusaro Pernatozzi, May, as she was known by to family and friends, was born at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on June 16, 1926. She was raised in Pittsburgh and was a 1944 graduate of Westinghouse High School. Having been raised in the area May was destined to become and remained a die-hard Steelers fan. On May 27, 1946, May married William “Bill” LoPresti and together, reared five children. They shared in 59 years of marriage prior to her beloved Bill’s passing on April 28, 2005.As her children grew, May’s life changed from the role as a home maker and family care taker to finding work outside of the home where she enjoyed her time assisting with special education students in the Dover City Schools and in working as a library aide in the Carrolton Schools. Additionally, May was also an avid antique collector and dealer. She found joy in sitting on her front porch greeting those who passed ;but above all, her true passion in life was taking the opportunity to spend time with her family and supply each of them with memories to pass on to future generations. She will be missed but never forgotten as recipes from her Italian wedding cookies, knots, homemade pizza, and banana bread have now been entrusted to a new generation of her family.In addition to her five children, Laurel A. (David) Civiello, of New Philadelphia, William M. (Linda) LoPresti, of Charlotte, NC, Cheryl L. Wetzel, of New Philadelphia, Steven A. (Anna) LoPresti, of East Sparta, and Mark D. LoPresti, of Dover, May is also survived by her grandsons, Andrew, Ian, Matthew, Billy, Rico, Marko, Louis and Steven; her granddaughter, Mellissa (David) Doran , and her great-grandchildren Erik, Kyle and Conner.Two sisters, Delores Cosentino and Carmella (James) Vita all of Pittsburgh and numerous nieces and nephews complete the family. In addition to her parents and husband May was preceded in death by a sister, Marion Santucci and a brother, Michael Pernatozzi.The family will receive friends on Friday, June 17, 2011, from 4:00 â?? 7:00 PM in the Geib Funeral Center at Dover where a Christian Wake Service will be held at 6:45 PM. Father Jimmy Hatfield will lead a mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, June 18, 2011, at 10:30 AM in St. Joseph’s Catholic Church at Dover. Burial alongside her husband will follow in Calvary Cemetery at Dover. Following services, the family wishes to invite guests to return with them to the Hospitality Room of the Geib Funeral Center where a meal and fellowship will be shared.Those unable to attend may send the family personal condolences by signing the online guest registry located on the funeral home’s website.Memorial contributions in May’s name can be directed to St. Joseph Church, 613 N. Tuscarawas Ave., Dover, O. 44622, the Tuscarawas Co. Senior Center, 425 Prospect Street, Dover, O. 44622, or the soccer program at Dover High School, 219 W. Sixth St. Dover, O. 44622.