Laverna Bakori

LAVERNA  BAKORI

Laverna May (Young) Bakori, 94, formerly of West Elizabeth, Pennsylvania passed away April 8, 2013 in Coral Springs, Florida.  Born April 8, 1919 in West Elizabeth, Laverna was one of five children of John and Jennie Payne (Furlong) Young.

She attended West Elizabeth Elementary School, graduated from Clairton High School and received her Bachelor’s degree from State Teacher’s College, now known as California University in California, Pennsylvania, in 1940. She received her Master’s degree in Education from the University of Pittsburgh in 1943 and completed Graduate Studies in Library Science from Duquesne University in 1965.  Laverna was a teacher in the Clairton Public Schools for 12 years and a teacher and elementary Librarian in the West Jefferson Hills School District for 18 years.

She was a member of the Olivet Presbyterian Church in West Elizabeth, starting in Sunday school at age 2. There, she was a former Sunday school teacher, former Superintendent of the Sunday school and former President of the Women’s Association. Laverna also participated in amateur drama skits for the Women’s Annual Buffet and often played the piano in Sunday school and church.  She was a volunteer for the church food bank and for 15 years, the Elizabeth-Forward Meals on Wheels.

Since 1979, Laverna was an active member of the Sweet Sixties at the Library Baptist Church where she prepared monthly talks.  She and her husband, John, loved ballroom dancing; took lessons, competed and won trophies for their dances. Her love of sewing was evidenced in the many gowns and dresses she made for competitions.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband, John; a brother, John Young; two sisters, Helen Biddle and Mary Sandow and a niece, Eleanor Sandow Lydon, whom she raised from 10 years of age.

She is survived by her two loving daughters, Evelyn Dianne (Bakori) Donahue of Ontario, California and Karen Kay (Carl) Laughery of Margate, Florida; two granddaughters, Amanda Justine Laughery and Ashley Nicole Laughery; one sister, Jennie Mae Robinson of Anaheim, California; two sisters-in-law and nieces and nephews.

Friends will be receivedin the Stephen D. Slater Funeral Home 1701 Route 51 (Large) Jefferson Hills, Pennsylvania on Saturday, April 13, 2013.  Viewing from 11 AM until 1 PM at which time a celebration of her life will be held.  Interment will follow in James Chapel (Stone Church) Cemetery in Finleyville, Pennsylvania.

Laverna loved God, her church and was a devoted wife and Mother. She demonstrated her devotion to her career as an educator and loved to read.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to your local Salvation Army or Vitas Hospice