Gloria Jean Bullock Verakis
Lifelong member of Sacred Heart of Jesus Church
Gloria Jean Bullock Verakis, 68, of McMurray, passed away Saturday, August 31, 2013, surrounded by her loving family.
Born September 10, 1944, in Washington County, she was a daughter of Blanche Wojciechowski and Zane Peter Bullock. Her father passed away in 1950, and in 1958, her mother married Joseph V. Puskar, who was father and grandfather to the family until the end of his life, September 7, 1998. Her mother passed away October 6, 2000.
Mrs. Verakis graduated from Chartiers-Houston High School in 1962 and married Daniel Verakis June 26, 1965. She worked as an educational secretary for Chartiers-Houston School District until 1972.
She greatly enjoyed being a mother and homemaker, before returning to work at Allegheny Engineering Co. from 1985 until 2007 when she retired.
Much of her life was tied to Sacred Heart of Jesus Polish National Catholic Church in Canonsburg, where she was a member her entire life. She joined the church’s Echo Choir at age 13 and sang regularly for more than 50 years. She scheduled the church’s religious lector readings, delivering many readings herself annually. She also scheduled participants and participated in the church’s weekly coffee hour.
Mrs. Verakis loved cooking, baking and entertaining family and friends. And, they loved it, too.
Surviving are her husband, Daniel Verakis; son Daniel F. Verakis of Chicago, Ill.; daughter Melissa Lyn Verakis Newcomer of Los Angeles, Calif.; grandson Zane Charles Newcomer; son-in-law Michael Newcomer; first cousin Rose Miller; sister-in-law Virginia Crunick; and several other extremely close cousins, aunts, nieces, nephews, wonderful friends and fellow choir and church members.
Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday in Sollon Funeral Home Ltd., 30 East College Street, Canonsburg, J. David Sollon, supervisor, Phillip L. Sollon, director, where departing prayers will be held at noon Wednesday, September 4, followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 12:30 p.m. in Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, Canonsburg, with Father Senior Rick Seiler officiating. Entombment in Forest Lawn Mausoleum will follow. Please visit www.sollon.com to view and leave condolences and other information.