Vera Lauretta DeFuria

YOUNGSTOWN - Vera Lauretta DeFuria, 97, passed away after a long , happy, and fulfilling life on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026.

Vera was born on Sept. 7, 1928, in Youngstown, shortly after her parents Francesco and Filomena Casasanta Castrucci, and her sisters, arrived from Bugnara, Italy. Vera graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School and throughout her life proudly sang the alma mater at any mention of the school’s name.

Vera worked at McKelvey’s Department Store and followed the store’s baseball team where she and her sister met two ballplaying best friends, who became their future husbands. She married her husband, Joseph C. DeFuria, on Aug, 20, 1949. After many years devoted to raising her family, she worked at Conroy’s Grocery Store.

As a Girl Scout co-leader for 15 years, she, along with Roena Scherl, shared their love of nature and music with hundreds of girls. As a longtime member of St. Brendan Church, Vera volunteered and baked for various committees, including their Altar and Rosary Society. She also volunteered for the YMCA and enjoyed swimming with her YMCA friends, into her nineties.

Among her many hobbies, sewing was a favorite, expertly making clothing, Halloween costumes, doll clothes and more. As a loving wife and mom, Vera relished her time in the kitchen cooking and baking for her family. She especially enjoyed having the family over every Sunday for pasta dinner. Holidays were loud affairs when cousins joined the feasting. She added to the fun of get-togethers by including a single square meatball in her amazing wedding soup. If it was in your bowl, you won five dollars and bragging rights until the next pot was made. This tradition, as well as her love of flowers, birds, and song, lives on through her children and beyond. Her kind heart, smiling face, and beautiful voice will always be remembered.

Vera is survived by Joseph, her husband of 76 years; five children, Deborah (Terry) Maloney of Boardman, Angela Gething of Brookfield, Doreen (Jim) Cogar of Canfield, Joseph (Tammy) DeFuria Jr., of Hiram, and Dennis (Joielle) DeFuria of Canfield; 16 grandchildren, Michael, Erin, Joseph, Tara, Megan, Brian, Katie, James, Erica, Philip, Liana, Mariah, Miranda, Michelle, Marcus, and Caitlin; twenty-five great-grandchildren with two more “on the way”; and a large extended family of in-laws, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

In addition to her parents, Vera was preceded in death by her sisters, Ida Ambrosini and Alfa Sefcik; son-in-law, Bruce Gething; and granddaughter, Sarah Gething.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the staff of Akeso Hospice, Caprice Health Care Center, and Addison of Cornersburg for the compassion shown and loving care given to Vera.

Anyone wishing to express their sympathy through contributions can do so to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Alzheimer’s Association, or to your favorite charity in Vera’s memory.

In accordance with Vera’s wishes, there will be a private Mass of Christian Burial. The family asks that you remember Vera in your own special way.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Kinnick Funeral Home in Youngstown.