Dorothy M. Vucina Toplak

Dorothy M. “Babe” Vucina, 84, of Vanport Township, passed away Sunday evening, October 18, 2015, at Manor Care Health Services, Heartland Hospice, Pittsburgh.

Born March 25, 1931 in Rochester, she was a daughter of the late Thomas and Dorothy Radella Toplak. Dorothy had been a resident of Vanport for over 60 years, retiring as the owner of Dot’s and Swirls Wedding Accessories. Before starting her own business, she was employed at Phoenix Glass in Monaca and had worked as a floral designer. Dorothy was a member of the New Brighton Croatian Kolo Ensemble, where as a featured soloist and dancer with the ensemble, she traveled throughout the former Yugoslavia as a guest of the government, and also performed throughout the United States and Canada. She was a member and featured soloist with the Sveti Nikola Orchestra and a performer with the Tamarack Cloggers of Slippery Rock. Dorothy was a member and officer of the CFU Lodge 535, Midland and was a parishioner of Saints Peter and Paul Roman Catholic Church, Beaver. She was an artist and a poet.

Dorothy is survived by her husband Nicholas G. Vucina, having just celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary. Also surviving are two daughters, Terry (Ambrose) Rocca, Franklin Park, and Carol Vucina, Vanport, two sons, David (Phyllis) Vucina, Dallas, TX, and Rick Vucina, Center Township, one brother, Thomas Toplak, Brighton Township, a brother-in-law, Tom Vucina, a sister-in-law, Carmella Toplak, nine grandchildren, Eric and Vanessa Rocca, Dana (Steve) McCall, Krista (Matt) Trimble, Tarah Helsel, David (Kristin) Vucina, J. C. and Rachel Vucina, and Ryan Vucina, and four great-grandchildren, Cameron, Christopher, Savannah, and Brooke.

Beside her parents, she was preceded in death by a grandson, Brandon Rocca, a brother, Frank Toplak, and 2 sisters-in-law, Mildred Sandusky and Alice May Vucina.

Friends will be received Sunday from 12:00 pm until 3:00 pm and 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm in the Noll Funeral Home, Inc., 333 Third St., Beaver. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Fr. Robert Miller, 10:00 am Monday, October 26, 2015 at Saints Peter and Paul Roman Catholic Church, Beaver where the Sveti Nikola Tamburitzans will honor her with music from her Croatian heritage. Interment will follow at the Beaver Cemetery, Beaver. Online condolences may be shared at nollfuneral.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Dorothy’s Name to the Croatian Fraternal Union Scholarship Fund, 100 Delaney Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15235.

She will be remembered by her family as the most loving and caring wife and mother, who was able to overcome life’s trials and suffering with tremendous strength, faith, and love, as she awaited her eternal peace and resting place with God.