Vera Ann (Boncarosky) Hays, 84, of Jefferson Hills, formerly of Donora, passed away peacefully on August 27th, 2025. Born in Donora on May 17th, 1941, Vera was the daughter of the late Dennis and Anna (Nescot) Boncarosky.

The salutatorian of her class, Vera graduated from Donora High School with the Class of 1959. Following high school, she continued her education at Morehead State University where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in music. Following her time in Kentucky, Vera attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where she received her Master of Music degree in performance. After completing her education, Vera was employed as a music teacher and Choral Director for two years at Taylor High School in Taylor Michigan. Vera then returned to the Mon Valley to assume positions as a music teacher in Grades 1 through 12, and the Choir Director for 22 years at Monessen High School. Later in her career, she also worked as a Band Director at MHS until her retirement.

Vera was a lifelong member of St. Nicholas Orthodox Church in Donora, and she was proud to be the granddaughter of one of the founding member families who helped carry the church through the Great Depression years. Vera was a member of the St. Nicholas Church Choir and the Cathedral Choir of the Archdiocese of Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania. She was also a long-term member and past Secretary for Donora Chapter 35 of the Fellowship of Orthodox Christians in America (FOCA).

Vera and her husband Jim were longtime season ticket holders for the University of Pittsburgh Panthers football and basketball teams. As a member of the Golden Panthers and Panther Club, she was also an avid supporter of the University of Pittsburgh Athletic and Band Scholarship Funds. When she was not attending Pitt events or donating her time at Church, Vera could be found visiting with friends and family or visiting with friends at her favorite beauty salon for regular hair and nail touch ups. She also enjoyed watching her daily television soap opera "The Young and the Restless" and the weeknight television specials like "Dancing with the Stars", "American Idol", and "America's Got Talent".

What Vera enjoyed most through her married life was being a loving wife and home maker for her beloved husband Jim.


Surviving to cherish Vera's memory: her loving husband of 47 years, James Hays; sister-in-law Patricia (Richard) Bond; sister-in-law Mary Jo (Robert) Dalrymple; brother-in-law Richard Hays and his children, nephew Alexander C. Hays and niece Alina Hays. Cousin Lillian Spak, now living in Texas, was very dear to Vera throughout her life, as the pair grew up together like sisters in Donora. Vera is also survived by numerous cousins from the Nescot and Boncarosky families.

Vera is preceded in death by her parents Dennis and Ann, along with her grandparents on both sides.

Friends and family will be received at the Anthony L. Massafra Funeral Home and Cremation Service Inc., 40 2nd St. Ext., Donora PA 15033, on Tuesday September 2nd, 2025, from 2:00 to 4:00 and 6:00 to 8:00 pm. Parastas Service will be held in the funeral home on Tuesday beginning at 7:00 pm. An Orthodox Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday September 3rd, 2025, beginning at 10:30 am in St. Nicholas Orthodox Church, 1 St Nicholas Drive, Donora, PA 15033. The Very Reverand Archpriest William J. Evansky, Chancellor of the OCA Archdiocese of Western Pennsylvania, will preside.

All attending guests are asked to meet directly at the church at 10:30am. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Vera's name to St. Nicholas Orthodox Church, 1 St Nicholas Dr, Donora, PA 15033. Online condolences may be sent to the family at the website www.massafrafuneralhome.com.