Vera Rose McElwain

VERA ROSE MCELWAIN, 90, of Weirton, WV, a loving mother, and grandmother filled with poise, grace and wisdom passed away on Monday February 6, 2023. We mourn her death but more importantly we give thanks for her abundant life. Vera was born in Weirton, WV on September 23, 1932, to Anthony and Helen Magdic Blagaich. A 1950 graduate of Weir High School, Vera continued her education at Wheeling Hospital School of Nursing. In 1958, the manager and bowling instructor of Chestnut Bowl, Jack McElwain, caught her eye. She took a lesson, and the rest was history. Vera and Jack married on October 24, 1959. In 1961 they had their first daughter and two more followed by 1965. Jack provided for the family by working at Weirton Steel and Vera worked as a Registered Nurse and Certified Operating Room Nurse for over 30 years at Weirton General Hospital and Weirton Medical Center, where she provided outstanding care for her patients all while navigating through the idiosyncrasy of the surgeons. Even though Vera worked outside the home her true passion was taking care of her family. She cared deeply for her husband, daughters, and grandchildren. She never missed an opportunity to support them in their academic, athletic and career accomplishments. All who knew the McElwain family knew Saturdays were made for Notre Dame Football and 4 PM Mass. Vera also cheered on the Pirates, Steelers and most recently Patrick Mehomes. A devout catholic, Vera nourished her faith by reciting the rosary daily and receiving the Holy Eucharist at Saint Joseph the Worker Church, where she enjoyed volunteering her time with the Legion of Mary and the Christian Mothers. In addition to her parents, Vera is preceded in death by her husband Jack; her sister, Ann Snyder, and her brothers, John, Emil and Walter Vucic. She will be remembered with love by her three daughters, Rita (Tim) Kelley, Maureen McElwain and Mary (Mark) Orsino; her grandchildren, Mackenzie Lee, Connor Sikora, Kyleigh Lindsey (Alex), T.J. Kelley, Tiffany (Clayton) Rico, Maggie, Bradley, and Daniel Orsino; and her niece, Carol Ann and T.U. Daniel. Vera’s family would like to extend their gratitude to the Valley Hospice Family including doctors, nurses, nurses aides and social workers. In addition, they would like to extend their gratitude to the administration and staff of Weirton Geriatric Center, especially Rhonda Quatrocchi for the time their mom spent there. Visitation will be Friday, February 10, 2023, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m., at the Greco Hertnick Funeral Home, Weirton. Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 9:30 a.m. Saturday, February 11, 2023, at Saint Joseph the Worker Church. Entombment will follow at Saint Paul’s Cemetery. Memorial contributions made be made is Mrs. McElwain’s name to Saint Joseph the Worker Church or to Valley Hospice. Share tributes at www.grecohertnick.com.