Fosca L Painter

Fosca L. (Palamidessi) Painter, 87, of New Kensington, passed away Sunday, May 7, 2017, surrounded by her family at the home of her daughter Nancy. She was born September 10, 1929, in Creighton, daughter of the late Angelo and Pia (Biondi) Palamidessi. Fosca lived her early life in Creighton, graduating as co-valedictorian from East Deer High School in 1946. She then attended stenotype school in Pittsburgh. After graduating from this school, she worked as a secretary to the general manager of the National Lead Company on the North Side. Travelling by bus to her work everyday, she met her husband-to-be, John Painter, and they married three years later. She and John lived in Tarentum where Fosca quit her job to be a homemaker and raise their three children. During this time, she also cared for a number of elderly relatives in their home, and eventually entered the working world again as a clerk at a stationery store in the Heights Plaza. Fosca was very active in her church, Trinity United Methodist Church, in Brackenridge, volunteering in various capacities, including Laymen''s Luncheon, for many years. She was an avid reader and loved learning about different parts of the world through travel photos and videos. Fosca also was a great Italian cook with her specialty being homemade ravioli in soup, which she made by the thousands for her family to enjoy. Likewise, she baked dozens of nut rolls and pizzelles to share at the holidays. Fosca appreciated nature and animals, especially dogs, and spent much time enjoying her and her children''s pets. Above all, however, she and John immensely loved their role as grandparents to their six grandchildren and shared in many of the children''s achievements and activities throughout their lives. In 1992, she and John continued their retirement in New Kensington. After John''s death in 1999, Fosca lived in the same home, still baking, cooking, reading, attending church, volunteering, and, of course, enjoying her family. Survivors include her children, Jeffrey J. (Lisa) Painter, Cranberry Twp., Nancy (Frank) Livorio, New Kensington, and Lisa B. (Paul) Gemperlein, Fawn Twp.; grandchildren Daniel (Bethany) Painter, Cara Livorio, Christa (Nick) Noce, Robert Livorio, Alyssa Livorio, and Paul Gemperlein; two great-grandchildren, Caleb Daniel Painter and Lia Mae Noce. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband John A. Painter, brother Aldo Palamidessi, and sister Orestina Errico. Funeral arrangements are as follows. Although there will not be a viewing, there will be a public memorial reception, service, and dinner for friends and family on Saturday, May 20, all of which will take place at Trinity United Methodist Church in Brackenridge. From 3:00 - 4:00, there will be a reception in the narthex of the church; at 4:00, a memorial service will be held in the sanctuary; at 5:00, a memorial dinner will be held in the first-floor social room of the church. Friends and family are invited to any part or all of the memorial activities. Arrangements by Duster Funeral Home, Inc. 347 E 10th Ave, Tarentum, PA 724-224-1526. VISIT: dusterfuneralhomeinc.com