Wilma Frances Deak Ghiardi, age 97, of Morgantown, passed away Monday, November 12, 2018, at Commonwealth Senior Living Center, in Front Royal, Va.
She was born July 28, 1921, in Hungary and immigrated to the United States through Ellis Island at the age of three months old with her parents, the late Michael and Vilma (Durrutta) Deak.
Survivors include her children, Paula Ghiardi Dunham, of Fairmont, Thomas Ghiardi and his wife Karen, of Morgantown, Carla Sayre and her husband Thomas, of Front Royal, Va., and Joseph N. Soos, of Charlottesville, Va.; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Joseph Soos; her second husband of 59 years, Tony Ghiardi; one brother, Michael Deak, and two sisters, Mary Waters and Dorothy Yanero.
Along with her husband Tony, she founded the Vanity Shoppe, a successful business in downtown Morgantown that they operated from 1969 – 1997. Following her retirement, she spent many volunteer hours at Mon Health Medical Center and at the Morgantown Public Library.
Wilma was a very patriotic woman, and was a member of the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps(WAAC) from 1942 – 1943, proudly obtaining the rank of Sergeant. She was a member of St. John University Parish.
A private Mass of Christian Burial for her immediate family members will be celebrated at St. John University Parish, University Ave., Morgantown on Monday, Nov. 19, with Father Walter Jagela as celebrant. She will then be laid to rest with her husband Tony at Beverly Hills Memorial Gardens in Westover.
In lieu of flowers, Wilma requested that contributions in her memory be made to either West Virginians for Life, 25 Canyon Rd., Morgantown, WV 26508 or to the Morgantown Public Library, 373 Spruce St., Morgantown, WV 26505.
Professional services have been provided to the family with the guidance of Smith Funeral & Cremation Care of Morgantown.
Condolences: smithfcc.com
