Shirley Lenore Presto

Long time antique collector and tole painting artist Shirley Lenore Wesner Presto passed away peacefully in the Donnell House, on Saturday, June 7, 2014. She was born on May 17, 1929, in Canonsburg Hospital, the daughter of the late Kenneth M. and Esther Cowden Wesner. The first few years of her life, the family lived at her mother’s family farm in Mt. Pleasant Township. She grew up in Canonsburg, and attended Canonsburg schools. Mrs. Presto began her employment at the RCA Corp., being one of the first 50 hirees as a group leader. She later worked in the offices of Saks Fifth Avenue, Canonsburg Milling Co., and Keystone Mountaineer Battery Co. She was a member of the Church of the Covenant, in Washington. Mrs. Presto’s late husband, Joseph Presto, introduced her to skiing and golf, and she introduced him to antique collecting. As avid antique collectors, they focused on early antique toys. They were former, longtime, active members of the Antique Toy Collectors of America (ATCA), having joined the organization at the second meeting. She continued collecting antiques throughout her life, and was quite an accomplished artist, especially enjoying Tole Painting. She was a very good cook, and always kept a pretty home. Surviving are her two daughters, Cheryl Nicholas Reda and Gretchen Nicholas (Joseph) Brehl, both of Washington, a sister, Norma (Virgil) Colucci, of Venetia, a niece, Barbara Collom, two nephews, Chriss (Lorelei) Colucci and David (Marion) Colucci; two great nephews, Brian and Bill Colucci, a great niece, Robin (Greg) Reiman, many cousins, and her dear friend, Nell Hull. Deceased are her first husband, Nick Nicholas, and 2 great-nephews, Bob Colucci and Shane Carroll Schmidt. Friends will be received on Tuesday, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m., in the William G. Neal Funeral Homes, ltd., 925 Allison Ave., Washington, where services will be held at 1:00 p.m., on Wednesday, June 11, 2014, with Rev. Emily Miller officiating. Burial will follow in the Washington Cemetery.