Merna Jean Urso

Avid family historian. Merna Jean Veatch Urso, 80, of Washington, died Friday, August 6, 2010, in Washington Hospital. She was born May 5, 1930, in Denbeau Heights (West Brownsville), Centerville Borough, Washington County, a daughter of the Rev. John Clinton Veatch Sr. and Annie Evelyn Hoover-Veatch. Her parents were founders of Denbeau Heights Christian Church. Mrs. Urso attended East End Grade School of Centerville Borough and graduated from eighth grade as the valedictorian. She graduated in 1948 from Centerville High School, where she was a member of the chorus and band. She was a licensed beautician, graduating from Irene's Beauty Academy. She was owner and operator of Merna's Beauty Shop with locations at 139 South Ruple Avenue and 58 West Wheeling Street in Washington. Mrs. Urso was a member of Immaculate Conception Church and Confraternity of Christian Mothers. She was a member of Washington County Council of Democratic Women and judge of elections for 1st Ward, 1st Precinct, and later 4th Ward, 1st Precinct in Washington. She also was a member of Vittoria Lodge 76 Order of Italian Sons and Daughters of America and a past member and treasurer of Italian-American War Veterans Auxiliary Post 27 of Washington. She briefly served as the state secretary of that organization. Mrs. Urso was a member of Southwestern Pennsylvania Genealogical Society of Washington and Veitch Historial Society and a member and a contributing editor of Native American Ancestry Hunting. Mrs. Urso was an avid family historian and researcher of all family lines, plus anyone connected to the family by marriage. She enjoyed cooking for her family, reading and genealogy. On July 22, 1949, she married Ben Urso Jr., who died November 16, 1993. She is survived by several most loving nieces, nephews and cousins, too numerous to mention. Deceased are six brothers, John Clinton Jr., Alfred Earl, Harry Denton, Donald Dewitt, Paul Hoover and Thomas Veatch, and five sisters, Levina Beatrice Veatch-Deibel-Fisher, Martha Evelyn Presock, Ruth Naomi Veatch-VanDivner-Mason, Anna Alice Veatch-Helphenstine and Vera L. Veatch-Gillis-Umbel. She was the last of her immediate family. Friends will be received from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday in William G. Neal Funeral Homes Ltd., 925 Allison Avenue, Washington, where private services will be held with the Rev. Donald Amon officiating. Burial will follow in Washington Cemetery.