Laverne Wolfe

Laverne Wolfe, 86, of Chester, WV, formerly of East Liverpool, peacefully entered eternal rest October 16, 2023, at UPMC Mercy in Pittsburgh with her family by her side.

She was born November 28, 1936, in Newell, WV to the late Tom and Merle Bailey. She graduated from Wells High School in 1954.

To say that Laverne lived a full and joy-filled life would be an understatement. She often and affectionately referred to her upbringing in Newell as a wonderful time in her life and maintained friendships with many of her classmates and friends from Newell throughout her life. She participated in a bowling league and bridge club with other women from East Liverpool in the 1960’s, opened the doors to Lincoln school in 1970 with a good friend so that northside youth had a place to play basketball, ping-pong, shoot pool and listen to music. She fund-raised with the East Liverpool Jaycees in the early 1980’s to help organize the downtown Christmas parade. She even organized a parade in East Liverpool to honor veterans at the conclusion of the Iraq war with yellow ribbons appearing around town. She always said that she was blessed to work for wonderful people after her children were raised. Dick Forzano, Norman Six, a lifelong friend, and finally Sheriff Jeff Woofter and Sheriff Mike White in Hancock County. Jeff became a second son to her. The highlight of Laverne’s life though were her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She and her husband Frank always supported each of their lives and interests. They especially enjoyed traveling to her son’s tennis matches and Laverne and her father grew especially fond of her son’s friend and teammate Brandon Johnson at the time, a fondness that Laverne held for Brandon, forever.

Laverne was preceded in death by her sisters Nila Bailey and Molly Ann Bailey.

Survivors include her husband of 65 years, Frank Wolfe of Chester, formerly of East Liverpool; son Chris Wolfe and his wife Kerrell of McDonald, PA; daughter Sharon May and her husband Jim of East Liverpool; daughter Lori Gotschall and her husband Troy of Land O’ Lakes, FL; and daughter Amy Burson and her husband Patrick of Lutz, FL. Granddaughters Leann Cole (Cody) and Katey May; grandsons Nathan (Nicole) and Nicholas (Yamira) Gotschall and Samuel and Drew Burson; and three great-grandchildren.

The family would like to acknowledge the exceptional care from the UPMC Mercy ICU doctors and nurses and finally to chaplain Father John Oesterle who conversed and prayed daily with Laverne and her family to provide comfort and prepare her for meeting God.

At Laverne’s request, there will be no funeral or memorial service. Instead, friends and loved ones can remember her with love, happiness and a smile on the face.

Donations can be directed to:

UPMC Mercy Hospital Development

Trauma and Burn Unit

1400 Locust Street,

Pittsburgh, PA 15219.

Private inurnment will be held at Spring Hill Cemetery. Laverne's arrangements were entrusted with the Arner Funeral Chapel. 

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