Lorraine Caruso

Lorraine Caruso, 93, of Monongahela, formerly of Charleroi, died on Wednesday, November 20, 2019 surrounded by family. She was born on May 12, 1926, the daughter of the late Albert and Anna Celesky Schoener. Lorraine was a 1944 graduate of Charleroi High School and married the late Alfred “Alf” Caruso in 1946.

Lorraine accomplished a lot in her lifetime. She was a welder for the Navy during WWII, and in the late 1970s, she was the first woman in Pennsylvania to become a certified industrial sewing instructor from the University of Pittsburgh. She also worked at US Steel. Lorraine was an active member in the community, having affiliations with the Cub Scouts, Fallowfield Recreation League, Charleroi Little League Baseball, Charleroi Wildcats, and the Charleroi Merchants. She was also a politician, and was elected to both the board of directors for Charleroi Area School District and to the office of tax collector in Fallowfield Township. Her favorite role though was that of a mother and grandmother.

Lorraine is survived by her daughter, Francine (Mike) Carroll, of Monongahela; two sons, Joe (Donna) Caruso, of Fallowfield Township and Alfred (Linda) Caruso, of Long Branch. She was a beloved “Gram” to 6 grandchildren, Joe (Holly) Caruso and Shellie (Bryan) Shepherd, of Fallowfield Township, Dominec (Rachel) Caruso, of Uniontown, Trisha (Bill) Schwalb, of California, PA, Michael (Kim) Carroll, of Monongahela, and Natalie (Derek Jones) Carroll, of Dormont. She had 12 great-grandchildren, Joey, Jacob, Jaelyn, Addison, Harper and Sienna Caruso, Brayden (Courtney) and Tanner Shepherd, Brianna Carroll, Samantha and Brett Schwalb, and Mackenzie Smith; and one great-great grandchild, Cayden Shepherd.

In addition to her husband and parents, Lorraine was predeceased by two sons, Leonard and Raymond Caruso; two sisters, Alberta Kegg and Virginia Schoener; and two brothers, Raymond (Anita) and Albert Schoener.

Lorraine was a lifelong member of Mary, Mother of the Church in Charleroi, and a proud lifetime Cougar fan.

Friends and family will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 pm on Sunday, November 24 at the CARL J. SPALLINO FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATION, 819 Fallowfield Ave. Charleroi, Joseph A. Lopez, funeral director. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 am on Monday at Mary, Mother of the Church, Charleroi, with interment following in Calvary Cemetery.

Lorraine was a dedicated supporter of the St. Jude Foundation. In lieu of flowers, consider making a donation to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude PL, Memphis, TN 38105-9959.