Alanna A. Gaudiello

1974 - 2024

Alanna Ann DeRito-Gaudiello, 49, of Connellsville passed away on May 24, 2024, surrounded by family and friends. Alanna was born Nov. 20, 1974, in Latrobe, the daughter of Madlyn A. Derito. She maintained a fighting spirit, an optimistic attitude, and an ever-lasting faith while she fought bravely against pancreatic cancer for over two and a half years. Every day was hard-fought and won, and every day was precious to her. Alanna graduated from Derry Area Senior High School and Westmoreland County Community College, then went on to love her work at Valley Community Services in Mt. Pleasant. Due to her faith, Alanna was always positive and had the gift of being able to make people laugh. Alanna was a devout Catholic, always praying for people, and was a member of St. Rita's Roman Catholic Church in Connellsville, and a former member of Holy Family Church in Latrobe. Alanna was active in her community, serving as Mayor of Derry Borough, where she was instrumental in sustaining the borough's K-9 program and was very outspoken in the Justice for Smoke Campaign. She was active in fundraising for the Bethlehem Project and attended many fundraising events that helped her community and their animals. She loved traveling and would begin planning her next vacation while on her current trip, especially trips to Aruba. Alanna was preceded in death by her grandparents, Charles J. and Ann Derito; and her uncle and godfather, Charles S. DeRito. She is survived by her husband, Timothy Gaudiello; mother, Madlyn DeRito of Derry; uncle, Robert Derito (Debora) of Greensburg; and aunt, Kim Derito of Derry; numerous cousins; and her two precious Maltese dogs, aka 'babies,' Sydney and Mercedez. Alanna will always be remembered for her strong faith, fighting spirit, generous heart, and love of her dogs. The family would like to extend a very sincere thank you to the nurses at Amedisys Hospice, especially Colleen, and a special thanks to Heidi, Jeremy, and Melissa for being by Alanna's side. They all made a difficult time a little easier through their kindness and compassion. Her friends went beyond what anyone could ever ask. Friends and family will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, May 31, 2024, in the HARTMAN-GRAZIANO FUNERAL HOME, INC., 1500 Ligonier St., Latrobe, PA. The St. Joseph Altar Rosary Society will recite the rosary at 1:30 p.m. on Friday. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, June 1, 2024, in St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, Derry, PA, with the Very Rev. John B. Gizler, III, and Rev. Salvatore R. Lamendola. Interment will follow in St. Joseph's Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Hair Peace Charities at www.hairpeace.org, Action for Animals at www.afashelter.org, or Westmoreland Walks at www.westmorelandwalks.org. To post an online condolence, please visit www.hartman-grazianofuneralhome.com.