Lavera T. Elwell Obituary (1928

Lorain - LaVera T. Elwell (nee Perron), 88, passed away on Monday, August 22, 2016 at Elmcroft Senior Living, surrounded by her loving family while holding her beloved husband's hand. She was born on June 6, 1928, at St. Ann's Hospital in Cleveland, OH. LaVera attended Holy Name grade school and high school, graduating in 1946. Following high school she began a secretarial career leading up to her marriage to Thomas Elwell on December 26, 1950. They then commenced a 65 year marriage, raising seven children. They moved to Lorain in 1954. LaVera was a homemaker during her children's younger years, then returned to work as a legal secretary from 1963-1978. She then went to work as parish secretary at Lorain St. Peter Church for 17 years, retiring in 1995 to care for her ailing daughter, Colleen. Her later retirement years were spent wintering in Florida with Tom. In addition to her duties as parish secretary at St. Peter's, she was a PSR teacher, Eucharistic Minister, and parish festival volunteer. She and Tom were members of the Moose Lodge in Elyria. She enjoyed sewing, cooking, and the beach, but her greatest passion was spending time with her family. She is survived by her beloved husband, Thomas J. Elwell Sr., children Teri (David-deceased) Gaede, Thomas Jr. (Vicky), Michael (Donna), James (Karen), Timothy (Mariana), Lynn (Zack) Wilhelm, and son-in-law Patrick LaVeck Sr., grandchildren Jeremy, Jessica, Megan, Matthew, Patrick Jr., Joseph, Robert, Michael Jr., Melissa, James Jr., Erica, Sophia, Isabel, J.T., Taylor, Madeline, and Emma, and ten great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Colleen LaVeck in 1995, parents Ralph and Irene Perron, and brothers Ralph (Red), Sam, and Pete Perron. The Elwell family will receive friends at Reidy-Scanlan-Giovannazzo Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 2150 Broadway, Lorain (440) 244-1961 on Thursday, August 25, 2016 from 3:00 - 8:00 PM. Closing prayers will be held at the funeral home on Friday at 10:20 AM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM, Friday, August 26, 2016 at St. Peter Parish, Fr. Craig M. Hovanec, Pastor, officiating. Christian burial services will be held at Calvary Cemetery in Lorain. Memorial donations may be made in LaVera's memory to St. Peter Parish, 3655 Oberlin Ave., Lorain, OH 44053 or to the Alzheimer's Association, 38440 Chester Road, Avon, OH 44011. Online condolences may be sent using www.rsgfuneralhome.com.