Bonnie Ann Bitz

Bonnie Ann Bitz, 59, of Washington, died Saturday, March 13, 2010, in Shadyside Hospital, Pittsburgh. She was born April 29, 1950, in Moundsville, West Virginia, a daughter of Betty Ruth Chase McCarrell of Washington and the late Basil McCracken. Mrs. Bitz was a graduate of West Liberty State College and received a Master’s Degree in English from California University of Pennsylvania. She retired from McGuffey High School, where she had taught Spanish and English for 34 years. Mrs. Bitz loved teaching and enjoyed cooking, traveling, reading, and drinking wine with family and friends. She was known to her family and friends as “Bonita” and “MaMaCita.” Mrs. Bitz was a member of Claysville United Methodist Church. Surviving, in addition to her mother, are two daughters, Stephanie Bitz, and Erin Bitz Simpson and husband, Matt, all of Canonsburg; father of her children, James Bitz; two brothers, Fred (Dorothy) McCracken of Illinois and Bob (Linda) McCracken of Tennessee; her stepmother, Martha McCracken; three aunts, Anna Lucy McCracken, Juanita McCracken and Wanda McCracken Frazee; an uncle, Roland McCracken; nieces, April McCracken and Briana McCracken (Lonnie) Alexander; nephew, Scott (Paula) McCracken; great nieces, Jessica, Amber, Willow, Kayla, Raina, Danielle, Jadyn and Taylor; great nephews, Axel, Aaron and Chandler; and numerous cousins. Deceased is a brother, William “Bill” McCracken. Friends will be received 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday and 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, in William G. Neal Funeral Homes, Ltd., 395 East Maiden Street, Washington. Services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, March 19th, in First Presbyterian Church, Corner of College and Wheeling Streets, Washington, with Rev. Dr. Robert Campbell officiating. Burial will follow in Claysville Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to American Cancer Society, 331 South Main Street, Washington, PA 15301; or to Shadyside Hospital Foundation (Hillman Cancer Center) 532 South Aiken Avenue, Suite 302, Pittsburgh, PA 15232.