Rose Marie Verzella

Rose Marie Verzella, 86, of Ohioville, passed away Monday, November 6, 2017 at Sewickley Valley Hospital.

Born January 27, 1931 in Monaca, she was a daughter of the late Charles J. and Theresa Branskey Auth. A graduate of Mount Gallitzin High School and the St. Francis School of Nursing, Rose began her long career as a registered nurse at the Municipal Hospital in Oakland. It was there that she worked with Dr. Jonas Salk who researched and eventually, discovered the Polio Vaccine. A Polio survivor herself, she administered the groundbreaking medicine, saving the lives of many Pittsburgh area children. After leaving Oakland, she continued to serve at several medical facilities, including Rochester, East Liverpool, and Aliquippa Hospitals. Rose was a friend to many and an avid story teller. She had been a faithful member of St. Blaise Parish, Midland.

In addition to her parents, Rose was preceded in death by her beloved husband Henry Verzella, her daughter, Susan Verzella, and sister, Marion Pusateri.

She will be greatly missed by her three sons, Jeff and Richard Verzella, both of Midland, and Dino Verzella, VA; her daughter, Lisa (Paul) Nutter, Hopewell Twp; and two grandchildren, Lindsay and Kimberly Nutter, Hopewell, Twp.

As per Rose’s wishes, there was no public visitation. A private service was conducted in the Schwerha-Noll Funeral Home, 600 Beaver Avenue, Midland, followed by interment at Beaver Cemetery, Beaver. Online condolences may be shared at nollfuneral.com.

The family would like to thank the staff, doctors, and nurses at Sewickley Valley Hospital and the Masonic Village, Sewickley for the compassionate care given Rose.