Helen V. “Vonnie” Rooney

Elmira: Age 95, formerly of Pittsburgh, living in Elmira for the past six years, died peacefully, surrounded by her family, Tuesday, November 9, 2010. Daughter of the late Karl and Magdelene (Hahn) Knaebel, she was predeceased by her loving husband, Paul, her brother, Charles Knaebel, and her sister Ruth Huber.  She was the devoted mother of Daniel (Gloria) Rooney, Bernard (Lorraine, deceased) Rooney, Sally (Michael) Bernard, Rebecca Rooney, and Mary Pat (Scott) Learned.  She was the delighted grandmother of Kevin (Christy) Rooney and Eileen (Matthew) Forest, Shannon Rooney, Christopher, Marci, Allison and Matthew Bernard, Rachel (Adam) Brace, and Jennifer Learned.  She also had over forty nieces and nephews and she adored babies and children of all ages.  Vonnie had wonderful memories of working at her father’s business in the Produce Yards.  She was a lifelong member of Annunciation Church, past president of the Christian Mothers Association, and a devout Catholic.  Vonnie enjoyed bowling and her card clubs, was a superb seamstress, a wonderful cook, she made the best Danish pastries and donuts in the world. Friends will be received 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, November 12, at Orion C. Pinkerton Funeral Home, Inc. 1014 California Avenue, Avalon, PA, 412-766-5600.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 a.m. at the Church of the Assumption, 45 North Sprague Avenue, Bellevue, PA. Interment to follow at Christ Our Redeemer Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph’s Hospital, 555 St. Joseph’s Boulevard, Elmira, New York, 14904 or Woodbrook Adult Care Home, 1250 Maple Avenue, Elmira, New York, 14904. The family is deeply grateful to the administration and staff of the St Joseph’s Hospital, Elmira, New York.  The exceptional staff of the Skilled Nursing Facility and the nurses of the Intensive Care and Comfort Units are to be commended. The love, joy, laughter, and superb care Vonnie received there was a delight to her and tremendous comfort to her family. She loved it there. 

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