Victoria T. Minella

Peacefully, with her family by her side, Victoria T. Minella passed quietly on Sunday, August 24, 2014. Born on February 11, 1925, in the coal mining town of Muse, Pennsylvania, she was one of seven children. Her parents, Clementia (Benini) Pesavento and Vittorio Pesavento, were part of the wave of Italian immigrants that came to America in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

She graduated from Cecil High School and in 1955, married the late Eugene Minella from Bridgeville, Pennsylvania. In 1959 "Gene and Vicy" bought the Ritz Hotel in Bridgeville and ran a successful business for 32 years, selling it in 1991. It was a favorite of residents of Bridgeville, Upper St. Clair and many other local communities and even Washington county patrons. Blue collar, white collar, lawyers, doctors, politicians even professional athletes, it didn't matter. Everyone enjoyed the cold beer, the good food and the warmth of the family run business.

Know for their famous "fish sandwich" coleslaw and homemade soups, many thousand of customers from western Pennsylvania passed through the doors of the small bar, restaurant and in the early years, even a boarding house. "Vicky" was known, not only for her devotion to her family and her incredible long hours of hard work, but also her kindness, devotion to her church and generosity to others.

Many free meals were given to friends, employees, family and the less fortunate, along with old clothes, an occasional free place to stay, a few bucks and even once the shoes she was wearing.

She is survived by a sister, Stella Beltrame of Scott Twp, a brother Paul Pesavento, of New York. She was preceded in death by her husband, Gene, in 1981, sisters Mary DiNardo, Pearl Vanzin, Inez Pomi, and brother, Ben Pesavento.

Vicky has two children, Renee Stevens (RN Capt. USN retired) and son Ricci Minella, MD, Scott Twp. She has nine grandchildren and two great grandchildren. She will be missed by all.

Friends welcome Tuesday 2-4, 6-9p.m. at William Slater II Funeral Service (412-563-2800) 1650 Greentree Rd, Scott Twp. Funeral Mass in Our Lady of Grace Church Wednesday 10:30a.m. Entombment in Queen of Heaven Cemetery.