Josephine "Dolly" Messina

Dolly Josephine Messina, 90, of Canonsburg died at 12:05 am on Friday, February 13, 2015 in Golden Living Center, Canonsburg.

She was born in Washington on April 24, 1924, a daughter of the late Philip T. and Sarah Parnella Graff of Canonsburg.

A graduate of Canonsburg High School, Mrs. Messina was a lifelong resident of Canonsburg. She loved spending her summers as a life guard at Canonsburg Town Park Pool and dancing with her late husband Dominic. Mrs. Messina was a licensed cosmetologist and the owner of "Dolly's Beauty Shoppe" in Canonsburg. She was employed for several years at the South Hills Convalescent Home, where she worked in the dietary department. Later in life, she became a volunteer at Canonsburg General Hospital. She also volunteered her time at Golden Living Center in Canonsburg. Mrs. Messina was a lifelong member of St. Patrick's Parish in Canonsburg where she was also a member of the Christian Mothers.

On August 18, 1946 she married Dominic V. Messina, who passed away on January 3, 1987.

Surviving are her two beloved children, William S. Messina, PhD of Tucson, AZ and Peggy A. (David) Ambrose of Washington; one brother, Anthony S. (Theresa) Graff of Webster, NY; and two grandchildren, Meredith Ambrose of Pittsburgh and Adam Ambrose of Washington. Deceased, in addition to her husband and parents, are two brothers, Joseph and Stephen Graff and one sister, Anna Biernat.

Mrs. Messina had many loving and compassionate "family" members at Golden Living Center in Canonsburg and Senior Life in Washington where she shared many endless hours cruising the halls in her wheelchair and will forever be known as everyone's little love bug.

Friends are welcome from 2-4 and 6-8 PM on Wednesday, February 18, 2015, with the Christian Mothers reciting the Rosary at 2:00, in Salandra Funeral and Cremation Services, Inc., Joseph P. Salandra Owner/Supervisor, Lin Webb Funeral Director, 304 West Pike Street, Canonsburg 724-745-8120 where departing prayers will begin at 9:30 AM on Thursday, February 19, 2015. A Mass of Christian Burial will immediately follow at 10:00 AM in St. Patrick Roman Catholic Parish, 317 West Pike Street, Canonsburg. Entombment will follow in Queen of Heaven Cemetery, McMurray.

In lieu of flowers or donations, the family requests that some time is taken to remember Dolly in your prayers and to keep her memory forever in your heart.