Nira D. Persico

1933 - 2025

Nira D. Persico, 92, of Monessen, passed away on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, at Residence at Hilltop, with her loving family by her side. She was born on Aug. 16, 1933, in Belle Vernon, the daughter of the late Irwin and Mary (Kropchak) Nesti. She was a member of Epiphany of Our Lord Catholic Parish and the Epiphany Ladies, was employed by Fox Grocery/Wetterau, Inc., and volunteered at the Saint Vincent de Paul Society Store for many years. Nira was a proud, hard-working homemaker who took great pride in raising her six children. Her cooking and baking were out of this world, especially taking her homegrown tomatoes and turning them into her delicious Sunday sauce! She was an advocate of eating homemade food including various soups, ravioli and polenta along with her baked goods, such as overstuffed nut and apricot rolls. Overall, a beautiful, kind-spirited, and very quiet woman of faith and family who welcomed all to the table, she loved to don her bright smile and signature purple and always gave the biggest heartfelt hugs. She is survived by her two sons, John (Martha) Persico of Jeannette and Dr. Jeffrey (Julie) Persico of Okemos, MI; three daughters, Marlene Craze of Bethel Park, Brenda (B.J.) Veschio of Belle Vernon, and Debbie Childs of Monessen; grandchildren, Nicholas, Lauren, Shane, Bethany, Brianna, Brittany, Brandon, Racquel, Raynell, and Cerria; nine great-grandchildren; sister, Patricia Jackson; and brother-in-law, Bishop Lawrence T. Persico. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her loving husband of 67 years, John E. Persico; infant twin daughters, Brenda and Belinda Persico; daughter, Denise L. Persico; and sons-in-law, Jeff Craze and Louis Vasquez. Friends will be received from 3 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025, in the DALFONSO-BILLICK FUNERAL HOME INC. AND CREMATION SERVICES, 441 Reed Ave., Monessen. Services will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025, beginning in the funeral home with a blessing service at 9:30 a.m., followed by a Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. at the Epiphany of Our Lord Church, with Bishop Lawrence T. Persico officiating. Entombment will follow in the Mon Valley Memorial Park Mausoleum. Epiphany Ladies will conduct their prayer service in the funeral home at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025. Condolences are being accepted for the family at www.dalfonso-billick.com.