Mary (Romagnino) Vetakis

Mary Vetakis, 95, formerly of Altoona, PA, passed away on March 3, 2018. She was born in Wilmore, PA on May 14, 1922 to Guiseppe and Maria (Condello) Romagnino. She graduated from Portage H.S. She worked in fashion retail and was named Queen of Coal in a regional industry promotion. She married Frank J. Vetakis and they moved to Altoona to raise a family. They were active members of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, helping to build the new church and school. Mary was a loyal church bingo volunteer, president of the Ladies Guild and a leader of the Telephone Squad, an outbound calling system to engage volunteers and convey news to parishioners in that early era. She was an election judge at Eldorado School polling place. After Frank's death in 1987, Mary made new friends through the St. Rose bereavement group, joined multiple card clubs and set out on travel adventures with her sister-in-law Alyce Beck. She began spending part of the year with her daughters -- all living in Texas at the time -- and relocated there after an 80th birthday celebration at Park Hills where Frank was a long-time member and officer. Mary is survived by her sister Rose Siciliano of Johnstown, PA; beloved daughters and sons-in-law Nancy Keene (John Weeks), Dallas; Patty Meyers (David), Sequim WA; Rosemary Westerhuis (Corstiaan), Glenwood Springs CO; and three generations of nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by an infant daughter and a sister, Angela VanCavage. Mary was known for her wit, generosity, sense of style and impeccable housekeeping. She was beloved by family, neighbors and many circles of friends. Private viewing will be at Serenko-Claar Funeral Home, Portage, PA, followed by graveside service at St. Bartholomew Cemetery, Wilmore, PA. Memorial service and Mass will be at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Altoona, PA, on Saturday, March 10 at 11 a.m. The family requests that donations in memory of the deceased be made to: Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic High School, 2400 Pleasant Valley Boulevard, Altoona, PA 16602.

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