Dorothy Jean (Yuhas) Petrus passed away on January 25, 2025 at The Haven Nursing Home in New Castle.

She was born on October 2, 1928, to the late Andrew and Anna (Milasko) Yuhas. Dorothy married Edward W. (Merfe) Petrus on October 3, 1948, who preceded her in death in 2005.

A lifelong resident of Donora, Dorothy graduated from Donora High School, and attended comptometer school. She worked at U.S. Steel Donora Zinc Works and later became an office manager for the Washington County Housing Authority at Highland Terrace. Dorothy was very involved in her family and her community. She was a den mother in the Cub Scouts, a religious educator at the former St. Dominic Church, a member of the Parish Council, the Christian Mothers, and sang in the church choir (directed by her husband.) She was a long-time member of the Confraternity of the Most Holy Rosary, and gave many hours of service working at the St. Vincent De Paul thrift store. She was an avid bowler and attended many bowling tournaments.

Dorothy was proud of her Slovak heritage and served as president of the First Catholic Slovak Union (FCSU) Branch 670, as well as president of District 12, the Monsignor Andrew Hlinka District. She maintained a license to sell life insurance until 90 years of age, regularly being awarded FCSU recognition as a "Top Gun" for recommending FCSU insurance policies to others. In 2018, Dorothy earned the 2018 Fraternalist of the Year Award, given to a person who, through example and accomplishment, provided outstanding volunteer service to her Branch, District, and Society. She was also a member of the First Catholic Slovak Ladies Association, Branch 127.

In addition to her parents and husband, Dorothy was preceded in death by her brothers Joseph, John, Edward and his wife Margaret Yuhas, and her sister and brother-in-law Eleanor and Joseph Matinko.

Dorothy is survived by a daughter, Dr. Claudia J. (Raymond) Parker of DeLand, Florida; a son, Edward X. (Lorraine) Petrus, of New Castle, PA; grandchildren Christopher (Tanya) Petrus, Sarah (Christopher) Kurowski, and Brian (Traci) Petrus, and great-grandchildren Luke and Nina Petrus, Casper and Salem Petrus, and Aiden and Mason Kurowski.


Arrangements have been entrusted to the Anthony L. Massafra Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Inc., 40 Second Street Extension, Donora, PA 15033 (724) 379-6900 where the family will receive friends from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, Thursday, January 30, 2025. Prayers will be recited in the funeral home on Friday January 31, 2025 at 9:30 AM followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM in St. Andrew the Apostle Parish Donora Campus.

Interment will follow in St. Dominic Cemetery, Donora PA

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Lawrence County Partners for Preservation, 111 E Lincoln Ave, New Castle PA 16101

To share a condolence please visit www.massafrafuneralhome.com