Esther C. Lavsa

Esther C. (Latz) Lavsa, 93, of Blairsville, PA (Derry Twp.) passed away on Friday, January 8, 2016 at Country Living Personal Care Home, Blairsville, PA.

The daughter of Edward and Eva (Schmidt) Latz, she was born April 23, 1922 in Pittsburgh, PA.

Mrs. Lavsa was a member of St. Martin Roman Catholic Church, New Derry, and the Rosary Altar Society.

She served on the Highridge Water Authority Board and the Derry Township Municipal Authority Board for many years and also served as a Derry Township Republican chairwoman.

Surviving are two sons, Harry T. Lavsa, Jr. (Kathy) of Blairsville and Craig E. Lavsa of Blairsville; five grandchildren, Steven Lavsa (fiancée, Alaina), Stacey Sobocinski (Nick), Samuel Lavsa, Evan Lavsa and Kurt Lavsa; two great grandchildren, Alexander and Karalynn; and a sister, Theresa McMahan of Pittsburgh.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Harry T. Lavsa, Sr. on January 4, 1987; a brother, Regis Latz and a sister, Dorothy Bastl.

The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 P.M. Wednesday at the Shoemaker Funeral Home, Inc., 49 N. Walnut St., Blairsville, PA.  A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 A.M. Thursday in St. Martin Roman Catholic Church, New Derry, with Rev. Fr. Stephen West as celebrant.

Interment will be in Most Holy Name Cemetery, Pittsburgh, PA.