Obituary for Irene Howells (Cerutti)
Irene Cerutti Howells of Erie Pennsylvania died on March 22, 2020 at the age of 95. Irene was born on November 5, 1924 , in Seminole, Pennsylvania, the eighth child of Frank and Rose (Baldassari) Cerutti. She was married to Norman Howells and they had four children—Ruth, Sam, Brian, and Mari.
Irene was a registered nurse and later a nurse anesthetist in Pittsburgh and Kentucky, before she became a wife and mother. She enjoyed telling stories of her days as a student nurse at Allegheny General Hospital in the 1940’s, and she was proud of her career. After her children were older, she returned to work, serving as the Director of Nursing at several long term care facilities in eastern Ohio.
Irene loved classical music and the opera, and the house was typically filled with the music of Puccini and Verdi throughout the day. Although she had no musical training, she insisted that her children learn a musical instrument, so the house was later filled with the sounds of band instruments and piano. She was also a strong believer in education, and encouraged her children and grandchildren to continue their schooling.
Irene is preceded in death by her parents Frank and Rose, her husband Norman, and her siblings Joe, Frank, Rex, Richard, Mary, Lena and Thelma.
In addition to her 10 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren, she is survived by her daughter Ruth Morgan (David), her son Samuel (Melissa), her son Brian (Haylee Schwenk) and her daughter Mari (Gary Viebranz). She is further survived by her sisters Enis and Elsie.
Funeral services and burial will be private and at the convenience of the family.
Those who would like to make a donation in Irene’s name may do so to their local classical music organization, or any liberal cause.
Irene was a registered nurse and later a nurse anesthetist in Pittsburgh and Kentucky, before she became a wife and mother. She enjoyed telling stories of her days as a student nurse at Allegheny General Hospital in the 1940’s, and she was proud of her career. After her children were older, she returned to work, serving as the Director of Nursing at several long term care facilities in eastern Ohio.
Irene loved classical music and the opera, and the house was typically filled with the music of Puccini and Verdi throughout the day. Although she had no musical training, she insisted that her children learn a musical instrument, so the house was later filled with the sounds of band instruments and piano. She was also a strong believer in education, and encouraged her children and grandchildren to continue their schooling.
Irene is preceded in death by her parents Frank and Rose, her husband Norman, and her siblings Joe, Frank, Rex, Richard, Mary, Lena and Thelma.
In addition to her 10 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren, she is survived by her daughter Ruth Morgan (David), her son Samuel (Melissa), her son Brian (Haylee Schwenk) and her daughter Mari (Gary Viebranz). She is further survived by her sisters Enis and Elsie.
Funeral services and burial will be private and at the convenience of the family.
Those who would like to make a donation in Irene’s name may do so to their local classical music organization, or any liberal cause.