Clare J. Ficca

Clare J. (Novak) Ficca, 89, of Blairsville, passed away Thursday, Sept. 1, 2011, at the Indiana Regional Medical Center, Indiana, Pa. A daughter of Joseph and Johanna (Sobota) Novak, she was born Aug. 7, 1922, in Glassport. Mrs. Ficca was a member of SS. Simon and Jude Roman Catholic Church, Blairsville, where she taught CCD, was a lector and Eucharistic minister. She was also a member of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas Court St. Theresa No. 562, Altar Society and Angels of Compassion. She was a Brownie leader and served as Judge of Elections. Surviving are six daughters, Maureen Lafferty and husband, John, of Doylestown, Joan Brozick and husband, Donald, of Glen Allen, Va., Phyllis Geletka and husband, Mark, of Indiana, Louise Ficca, of Sabinsville, Catherine Delcoco and husband, Michael, of Blairsville, and Mary Ann Milner and husband, Richard, of Sewell, N.J.; 13 grandchildren, Jack Lafferty, Julie Gray, Kathleen Lafferty, Matthew Lafferty, Michael Brozick, Doug Brozick, Amy Brozick, Jessica Halchak, Leland Geletka, Joseph Hartz, Jacob Hartz, Lea Fridley and Tom Delcoco; 12 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Joseph Novak, of Industry, and Mike Yanossy and wife, Eleanor, of Latrobe; two sisters, Kay Sofranko and husband, John, of New Stanton, and Joan Ressler, of Greensburg; and two sisters-in-law, Del Ficca, of Smithfield, Rhode Island, and Lucille Novak, of Newmarket, N.H. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Jack Ficca, in 1998; two brothers, Eugene Novak and Frank Yanossy; and two sisters, Matilda Williams and Cecilia Platt. The family received friends at the SHOEMAKER FUNERAL HOME INC., 49 N. Walnut St., Blairsville, where a wake service was held. A funeral Mass was celebrated at SS. Simon and Jude Roman Catholic Church, Blairsville, with Father Chester J. Raimer as celebrant. Interment was in SS. Simon and Jude Cemetery, Blairsville. The Catholic Daughters of the Americas Court St. Theresa No. 562 recited the Rosary in the funeral home. To view the online obituary, sign the guest registry or send condolences, visit www.shoemakerfh-monuments.com.