Lillian M. (Majoros) Bassi
Lillian M. Bassi passed on Monday, January 16, 2017 after reaching her 90th birthday.
She was the loving wife of Melvin B. Bassi who predeceased her in 2007.
She is survived by her four sons: Brad (Joanie), Keith (Betsy), Neil (Donna), and Mitch (Florence). She will be sadly missed by her grandchildren: Laura, David and Michelle Bassi; Marianne Russo (Jeffrey) and Michael Bassi (Vanessa); Brooke Celaschi (Delbert) and Kiersten Mallon (Michael); Ryan Bassi (Vanessa) and Amy Bassi and John Bassi, Michael (Lauren) Celaschi and Delbert Celaschi Jr. as well as her four great grandchildren Lucas, Ben and Lucy Bassi, Jacob and Andrew Levin and great great grandchild Colton Celaschi.
Lillian Bassi was one of eleven children born to John and Susan Majoros who emigrated from Czechoslovakia to the Bentleyville, Pa., area. She was raised on a dairy farm and grew up with rigorous daily chores as were assigned to all the children – such humble beginnings for a woman who grew up to be the epitome of a lady in every respect.
She graduated from Bentleyville High School in 1944 and then in 1948 received a Bachelor of Science in Education at California University, then known as California State Teachers College.
While teaching elementary school in the California area, she and Melvin were married in 1949 as he finished law school and began an emergent career in Charleroi. Not long after that, she left the classroom and devoted her life to raising a family of boys who greatly benefited from her guidance.
She returned to the classroom for a few years as a substitute teacher, during which time, she earned a Teacher of the Year award.
In later years, she served as a bookkeeper for the Bassi & Associates Law Firm.
Lillian Bassi was a kind, warm and giving lady, loved and respected by everyone who knew her. She was an authority on manners and etiquette She was endeared by children. For many years, she taught the Children’s Choir at Christ Lutheran Church in Charleroi. She was an ardent volunteer at the Mon Valley Hospital.
California University honored her by naming her the first recipient of the Lillian M. Bassi Core Values Award for integrity, civility and responsibility.
In 1996, she received the John R. Gregg award for Loyalty and Service to California University as well as the Dixonians Award for unselfish service to her alma mater. She served as Secretary for the Alumni Association for California and was a member of its Executive Committee. She also served as a member of the Board of Directors of the California University Foundation.
She was a longtime member and past Worthy Matron of the Eastern Star and past President of Charleroi Athene Club and the Monongahela Women’s Club.
In 2005, Lillian and Melvin were named Philanthropists of the Year by the Washington County Community Foundation.
Above all, though, she was loved by her family as much as she loved them and she will be fondly remembered.
Friends will be received Thursday from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. in the SCHROCK-HOGAN FUNERAL HOME &Amp; CREMATION SERVICES, INC., 226 Fallowfield Avenue, Charleroi, Pa.
A Funeral Service will be held Friday, January 20, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at Christ Lutheran Church 6th and Washington Ave., Charleroi, Pa. Those attending the funeral services are asked to go directly to the Church.
Memorial contributions in lieu of flowers, may be sent to the Bassi Family Fund, c/o the Washington County Community Foundation, 1253 Route 519, Post Office Box 308, Eighty Four, PA 15330 to be distributed by the family for community and educational purposes
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.schrock-hogan.com