She opened her home to many, advised others about life

Died Sept. 26, 2018

Any home with six children is always going to be busy, but Alice Geraci never hesitated to open her doors — and cupboards — to others.

The busiest day was Sunday -— and macaroni and meatballs was probably going to be on the table.

“If someone just stopped by and ate a few meatballs out of the pot or stayed for hours, they knew they were welcome,” said Karen Klickovich, Ms. Geraci’s daughter.

But any given day had kids from the neighborhood who stopped by to hang out, play games, have a meal, or ask Ms. Geraci for advice. “I can’t tell you how many kids stayed with us,” Ms. Klickovich said. “We always had a full house.”

Ms. Geraci, 84, of Penn Hills, died Sept. 26 at Forbes Hospice. She originally was from Brushton.

A devout churchgoer, Ms. Geraci attended St. Bartholomew in Penn Hills. “It didn’t matter if there was snow knee high, she walked to St. Bart’s,” said Ms. Klickovich.

She and her husband, Donald Geraci Sr., had divorced when the children were young. She spent more than three decades working at A&L Motor Sales in Monroeville as a title clerk, often a 1 to 9 p.m. shift. She retired in 1999. She eventually began working again until she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.

“Her life was uphill the whole time and she kept climbing,” said her son, Donnie Geraci. “She had no time for self-pity. She lived with dignity and class, and she had a great sense of humor.”

And it was the life lessons Ms. Geraci learned that brought other kids to her door for advice.

“It might be about situations at home or relationships,” Mr. Geraci said. “She was a good judge of character. She’d try to guide you in the best way she could.

“But she didn’t sugarcoat,” he said. “She told you with respect, but you better learn how to deal with life because there’s going to be another problem waiting, so you’ve got to handle it and move forward.”

Growing up, it takes time to realize the work that parents put in — Ms. Klickovich said she became aware when she turned 14 and she and her twin brother, Jeffrey, started working.

“My mother thanked us when we went out and got jobs. We started buying our own clothes. She said, ‘I didn’t have to do that for you and that let me take care of the younger ones,’” she remembered.

“Her heart was bigger than she was,” Ms. Klickovich said. “She didn’t have a lot to give, but she gave it all.”

Ms. Geraci is survived by her children, Jeffrey, Karen Klickovich (late Donald), Joseph, Cynthia Zimmerman (late William), Donald, and Donna Groomes (late Anthony); her sister, Shirley Stampo; as well as several grandchildren; great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Frederick and Delia Sieg; a sister Patricia Palandro; and a brother, Frederick Seig.

Family and friends will be received from 1 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the Findlay C. Wylie Funeral Home, Inc. 11311 Frankstown Road, Penn Hills. Mass will be at 10 a.m. Monday at St. Bartholomew Church.