Leanna, last of 9 Meffe children, passes away

Leanna Meffe, the last survivor of the nine children of Mike and Santa Meffe, passed away Wednesday, January 31.

Leanna Meffe

Her departed siblings were Pasquale, Angelo “Butch” John, Orlando, Anthony, Pasquale “Patsy” Meffe, Italia “Edith” Meffe Gibbles, Anna Meffe and Enis “Agnes” Meffe.

Leanna was a nurse at Fairmont’s hospital for decades. The Commodore family remained among her close friends to the end.

Butch, Class of 1936, married 1942 Fairview High grad Mary Rose Sinisi Meffe. Butch and Jesse Meffe, Johnny Meffe’s father, owned Meffe’s Body Shop on Jackson Street.

Mike Meffe owned the Meffe Service Station.

Margaret Meffe Pellegrin, is Class of 1953. Karen Richards Meffe is Class of 1967. Margaret DePond Meffe is Class of 1945.

 

I was most familiar with Johnny Meffe, who was close to my age. I still remember when he had a handful of hot red pepper flecks and looked like he was about to throw it in my face. I hit his hand from below, the hot stuff flew into his face and Johnny cried in pain. I got the blame for making his eyes burn although I considered it self-defense.

Leanna’s obituary:

Leanna Lorraine Meffe, 89, of Monongah, passed away Wednesday, January 31, 2018 at Fairmont Regional Medical Center. She was born in August 14, 1928 in Monongah, daughter of the late Matteo and Santa Ciamarra Meffe.

Leanna was a registered nurse at Fairmont General Hospital. She was a selfless individual who donated to several charities including St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, Wounded Warrior Project, and the Humane Society. She was a true animal lover and patron of strays.

 

Leanna was involved in many social organizations such as the Catholic Daughters. She was very active in the Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Monongah.

 

While she was obtaining her psychiatric Nursing Training in Chicago, she also learned to dance at the Fred Astaire Dance Studio. She graduated from St. Mary’s Nursing School in Clarksburg with an RN license.

Leanna is survived by her nieces and nephews, Janice Miller, David Meffe and Patricia of Kingsport, TN, James “Robert” Meffe and Sherri, Elizabeth “Betsy” Smith and James of Cranberry Township, PA, Teresa Hamrick and Brian of Florance, KY, Jennifer Leyh and Thomas, and John Matthew Meffe; great nieces and nephews, Denise (Michael) Roncone, Kevin (Karen) Wood, Janine (Jeff) Watson, Lauren Meffe, Matthew (Emily) McGinnis, Daren Meffe, Lenzy Meffe, Aaron Hamrick, Eli Hamrick, Isaac Hamrick, Christopher Smith, Christian Leyh, Jacob Leyh; several great-great nieces and nephews, Danielle Williams, Cipi (Gene) Greek, Kyle Wood, Jayden Walton, Brooks Brown, and Zachary McGinnis; and compassionate friends, Lisa Joy, Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Commodore, Sandra Skormsley, and countless others.

In addition to her parents, Leanna is preceded in death by her brothers, Pasquale, Angelo, Orlando, Anthony, and Pasquale “Patsy” Meffe; three sisters, Italia “Edith” Gibbles, Anna Meffe, and Enis “Agnes” Meffe; and a niece, Tyndara Meffe.

The family will receive friends at Domico Funeral Home, 414 Gaston Avenue in Fairmont on Sunday, February 4, 2018 from 11:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. There will be a vigil service in the funeral home on Sunday at 6:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will he held at the Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Monongah at 10:30 a.m. with Father Vincent Joseph celebrating. Interment will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Monongah. In lieu of flowers, you may send donations to Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Monongah or the Marion County Humane Society. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.domicofh.com .