Carol Jean Steffaro

Devoted wife, beloved mother and grandmother

Carol Jean Steffaro, age 80, of Slippery Rock, PA, fell asleep in the lord on April 14th, 2023.



Formerly of Lorain, Ohio, Carol was born on June 25, 1942, as the only child of George and Sophie Simerick. Carol graduated from Bowling Green University and did graduate work at the University of Hawaii. She taught English and Social Studies at Lorain Middle School and was an active parishioner at St. George Serbian Orthodox Church and a member of the Serbian Singing Federation.



Carol married the love of her life, Vanya on August 10, 1968, and began teaching at Scarsdale High School. Once he was ordained, they moved to Holy Apostles Orthodox Church in Garfield, New Jersey. While in Garfield, they were blessed with the birth of their daughter, Elizabeth 'Beth' in 1970, and moved to Weirton, West Virginia in 1971 where they stayed for 25 years. During that time, they gave birth to their son, Michael in 1972, and Carol remained a very active community member in the St. Nicholas Orthodox Church choir, Ladies Altar Society, Sunday school, and Fellowship of Orthodox Christians.



Carol worked as the assistant director to the Governor of West Virginia, John D. Rockefeller in the Weirton office from 1977 to 1985. Following this, she worked as the B.O.L.T. lady ("Blot Out Litter Today") where she educated others on environmental cleanliness. Then she became the director for community education at West Virginia Northern Community College, Weirton campus from 1987 to 1996.



Beth married her husband, Robert Willison in 1994, prior to Carol and the Very Rev. John moving to Campbell, Ohio to serve at St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church. In Campbell, Carol was a member of the church choir, Sunday school, sisterhood, FOCA O' Club, and studied to write icons. In 1997, her son, Michael married Allison Deerson, and Carol became a very loving grandmother to her six grandchildren, Hannah, Nathaniel, Isabelle of Slippery Rock, PA, children of Beth and Willy, and Alexis, Andrew, Arianna of South River, NJ, children of Michael and Allison. Upon Fr. John's retirement the two moved to Treasure Lake in DuBois, PA where they resided for 11 years. She was a member of St. Nicholas Orthodox Church in DuBois, PA and also attended Holy Trinity Church in State College, PA to support Vanya when he served there. In DuBois she was a member of the Red Hat Society and book club. In 2021, they moved to Slippery Rock, PA to reside with her daughter and son-in-law, and began regularly attending St. John the Baptist in Campbell, Ohio again, and she also found peace, tranquility, strength, and love at Holy Transfiguration Monastery with the Nuns and spiritual community.



Carol will lovingly be remembered as "No Filter Baba", always making everyone laugh and bringing smiles to those around her. Baba was always known to crack a joke, and radiated with a youthful, joyous spirit.



Carol is survived by her husband, Fr. John Steffaro; daughter, Beth Willison and her husband, Robert; son, Michael Steffaro and his wife, Allison; grandchildren, and a host of other friends and family. A viewing will be held on Friday, April 21 from 3-6 p.m., with a Funeral Service at 6 p.m. at St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church, Campbell, Ohio followed by a Divine Liturgy at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 22 at the Orthodox Monastery of the Transfiguration in Ellwood City, PA. Burial and interment to follow.



In lieu of flowers, please send donations to either St. Nicholas Orthodox Church in Weirton, WV, St. John the Baptist in Campbell, Ohio, or the Orthodox Monastery of the Transfiguration in Ellwood City, PA.