Elsie A Carey

Elsie passed away peacefully in her sleep on the morning of Monday, July 27 at the age of 92. She was born Elsie Yazurlo on January 27, 1928 in Harrisburg, PA, the daughter of Michael Yazurlo and Julia Ramundi. Elsie and her 4 other siblings grew up in the small coal mining town of Old Forge, PA where Anthracite Coal was king. Her father worked in the mines until one day it collapsed. He and the others were fortunate and escaped with only a few bumps and bruises. It would be his last day as a miner. He sought out a new job in the public works. Old Forge became known for its "Old Forge Pizza" in the '60s where Mrs. Ghigiarelli served many a pizza to the coal miners gathering at her local restaurant to play cards and share the memories of the day. To this day, a visit to Old Forge isn't complete without a stop at Arcaro and Gennell's for the white pizza with crispy crust .

As a child growing up during the depression, Elsie was determined to further her high school education. While working part-time as a bookkeeper for a local company, she received a grant to attend Scranton Keystone Junior College where she completed her Associates Degree. She would later recall telling her family it was a great sacrifice to get that degree. She had to take two buses to reach the college which took over an hour and a half commute time each way. Along the way, she met the love of her life, Leonard Carey who was completing his teaching degree in Akron, Ohio. "Lenny", as she affectionately called him, met her on one of his visits with relatives in Scranton, PA and it was love at first sight! She married him soon after college on June 15th, 1949 at St. Mary's Church in Old Forge. They were married 69 years before Lenny passed away in October, 2018. They were inseparable and those who knew them rarely saw them leave each other's side.

After getting married, Elsie moved to South Euclid, Ohio where Lenny had begun teaching and she soon looked for work prior to starting her family. She interviewed at Lincoln Electric Co. in Euclid, Ohio and initially was told there were no positions available. Several months later, Lincoln called her and asked her to report to work if she was available. She was thrilled for the opportunity and worked her way up over the years starting out as a bookkeeper in the electrode division. It was June of 1953 and the company then employed 1,050 people. Women accounted for only 10% of that total according to an article in the Cleveland Press. Elsie was one of those women and happy to be a part of a company where she learned the year-end bonus could end up being as much as her annual salary if she performed well. She did just that and over the years reached Assistant to the Comptroller before she retired.

As a mother, she was focused on her two boys, Chris and Paul and pushed them to achieve as she had in school. She loved them dearly but was persistent in making sure they had a strong work ethic as she had. She enjoyed having their school friends over the house and cooking many Italian dishes she learned from home growing up. You could find her in the kitchen with her daughter-in-law Donna sharing recipes of their favorite meals. Her cheesecake was a hit at dessert time. She treasured her family time together and when her three grandchildren arrived they were the center of attention on their visits. Elsie is with Lenny now and is with her Lord in heaven. As a practicing Catholic who attended mass frequently, Elsie is praying for each and every one of us. Elsie is survived by her sons Chris Carey of University Hts., OH(Donna Carey), Paul Carey of Lincoln, Mass. and grandchildren Christopher, Douglas and Dominique(Kiki).

Interment All Souls Cemetery. Family and friends are invited to meet for Mass of Christian Burial 11 am Monday, August 3 at Gesu Church, 2470 Miramar Blvd, University Hts.

MASS WILL ALSO BE STREAMED LIVE ON FACEBOOK LIVE ON THE FIORITTO FUNERAL SERVICE PAGE.

Donations can be made to Elara Caring Hospice of Mentor, OH.