Elizabeth Morelli

After 98 years and one week, Elizabeth Morelli was called to the angels on Monday August 7, 2023 at Valley Hospice.  Her nearly 5,100 weeks on this earth were filled with family, friends, adventures, meals, and mostly, love.  Love for her husband Geno who preceded her in death in 2011. Love for her children: Toni Jean (Bruce) Dondzila, Mark (Sandy) Morelli, Marcy (Jack) Eannarelli, Geno (Renee) Morelli, Lisa (Kirk) Icuss, and dear family friend Nancy Mead.  Love for all of her 12 grandchildren: Nicholas (Kerri) and Chad Dondzila, Jason (Hayley), Michael (Amy), and Adam Morelli, Jacqui (Jordan) Singer, Jake (Sarah) Eannarelli, Morell (Joe) Welker, Elise Hurley, Philip Icuss, Morgan and Mitchell (Monica) Morelli. Love for her 18 great grandchildren and all of her nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and family.

Elizabeth was born on July 31, 1925 in Canonsburg, PA a daughter of the late Pietro and Maria Panzarella Catozza.  She was one of five children.  Preceding her in death were her brother Frank (Eunice) Catozza and sister Catherine “Ninnie” (Robert) Dustolfo.  She is survived by her sisters Mary (Jules) Mastroianni and Phyllis (Robert) Barnes.

Elizabeth married her late husband on May 6, 1950 and raised their 5 children in Wintersville, Ohio instilling in them a love for family, faith in God, a strong work ethic, and duty to their community. Liz ran an organized, tight ship at home and kept everyone in line to the best of her abilities.  As a grandmother and great grandmother, Elizabeth was an ever present beacon of support, love, and honesty.  While her grandchildren were spread across the country, distance was no obstacle to Elizabeth and Geno to be in person to support their family whether in youth sports or adventures to their homelands in Italy. Elizabeth’s culinary prowess not only fueled her family for generations but she also passed down her love language of cooking to her children and grandchildren alike. Elizabeth’s kitchen was able to satiate the largest of gatherings, while she herself only ever needed “just a taste”.  In her final week of life, Elizabeth was joined by over 90 members of her extended family and friends in celebration of her 98th birthday at her son Geno’s beautiful farm.

As a member of her community Elizabeth was a stalwart supporter of many local causes and was an active member of Blessed Sacrament Church, the Upper Ohio Valley Musical Guild, The Italian American Cultural Club, and was a 1943 graduate of Catholic Central High School.

Friends may pay respects and celebrate a blessed, long life lived at Dunlope-Shorac Funeral Home, 215 Fernwood Road, Wintersville, Ohio on Friday August 11th from  4-7 pm (Vigil service 3:45 pm).  A funeral liturgy with mass will be celebrated at 9:30 am Saturday at Blessed Sacrament Church, burial following at Mt. Calvary Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to The Steubenville Catholic Schools Foundation or The Indian Creek Foundation.

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