Obituaries

Martha Garan

MARTHA GARAN, 99, of Weirton, WV passed away peacefully on Friday, October 13, 2023, at Hope Cottage. Martha was born on October 5, 1924, in Zeigler, Illinois, to Sam and Mary Bubuli. At a young age, Martha’s family moved to western Pennsylvania, finally settling in Brownsville where she graduated from high school in 1942. Martha moved to Weirton and was employed in the Bond Department at Weirton Steel before her marriage. Martha loved her family and her church. She and her husband John raised two faith-filled children and guided them on their career paths. The family enjoyed numerous vacations, especially to St. Petersburg, Florida, where Martha and John eventually bought their vacation home with their much-loved citrus trees in the backyard. Martha also loved an adventure. She and John traveled on many trips with the Three Score Seniors. As her children were growing, Martha was active in the Broadview PTA and Weir High Band Parents and was a Cub Scout Den Mother. She spent many hours driving her children to various sports activities, dance classes, music lessons, and catechism classes. Later in life, she stayed busy serving with the St. Mary’s Altar and Rosary Society. Martha was preceded in death by her parents, husband John “Soup,” brothers Mike Bubuli, Pete Bubuli, Nick Bradlee, sister Sarah Pasquini, and infant great-grandson Vincent Nguyen. Martha will be remembered by her son Dr. John (Vickie) Garan, Jr. of Weirton, daughter Rosemary (Geoffrey) Griffith of Haymarket, Virginia, granddaughter Katherine (Anton) Petrov of Leesburg, Virginia, grandsons Garland (Jennifer) Freeman of Paris, Pennsylvania, Bryan Freeman of Weirton, and great-grandchildren Viktor Petrov, Tyler, Dean (Karla), Jacob, and Miracle Freeman and Elijah and Connor Freeman, many nieces and nephews, and her special nephew Andrew Pasquini, Jr. The family would like to thank the staff of Hope Cottage and Valley Hospice for the tender care Martha received while under their supervision. Friends and family were received Monday, October 16, 2023, at Greco-Hertnick Funeral Home, Weirton, with a Parastas service being held at 7:30. Blessing services were held Tuesday, October 17, 2023, at the funeral home, followed by a Funeral Liturgy at St. Mary’s Byzantine Catholic Church. with Father Brian Norrell officiating. Interment followed in St. Paul Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary’s Byzantine Catholic Church Building Fund, 3116 Elm Street, Weirton, WV 26062. Share tributes and memories at www.grecohertnick.com.