Category: Necrology

Lisa C. McKinney, 61, passed away August 3, 2026, while at Penn Highlands DuBois. Born on November 8,1964, she was the daughter of the late Charles and Nancy McKinney. She was a graduate of Western School of the Deaf in Pittsburgh. Prior to illness, she had been employed for over 25 years for Goodwill Industries.…

Note: Betty began working at WPSD as a houseparent in Aanarde in the very early 1980s. She retired as an Instructional Aide in 2005. Betty L. (Long) Hornick of Oakmont, formerly of North Braddock, age 83, died peacefully on Saturday, August 15, 2026. Betty was the beloved wife of the late William E. Hornick, Sr.…

He passed away Friday morning (2-28-14) in his home of natural causes. He was 47. Mr. Williams was born June 18, 1966, in Farrell to Willard and Eunice Green Williams. He was a graduate of Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf, Pittsburgh. Mr. Williams was employed at YMCA, Hermitage, and was a Neighborhood Watch member…

Note: Barbara Black was a dorm supervisor from about 1971-1979. She worked in the primary dorm.  Barbara L. Black, age 73, of Beechview, passed away unexpectedly on September 30, 2024. Born on October 21, 1950, she was the cherished daughter of the late Lorraine and Samuel James Black. Barbara was preceded in death by her…

Heather K., 36, Carrolltown, died May 10, 2010, at Memorial Medical Center, Johnstown. Born July 28, 1973, in Johnstown, the daughter of Karen (Dunlap) and Andrew Rhody of Carrolltown, and William R. Lenz, Duncansville. Preceded in death by maternal grandparents, Felix and Clare (Sharbaugh) Dunlap; paternal grandparents, Elmer and Marie Lenz; cousin, Jenny Dunlap; and…

James (Jim) Maher, Class of 1966, passed away on July 17, 2026. Jim went on to earn both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree from Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C. He continued to serve his community as a councilor and substitute teacher. Jim had a great love for animals and was always willing to help…

By Stephen Rute, WPSD Class of 1974 A native of Pennsylvania, Ida Wynette Gray enrolled at the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf (WPSD) in 1949 and graduated in 1951. She went on to make history as the first Black Deaf woman to enroll at Gallaudet College, breaking significant racial and social barriers. While at…

Note: Misty (Finnegan) Elder enrolled and left WPSD around 1995. Misty Dawn Elder, 49, of Altoona, entered into the loving arms of her Lord and Savior Tuesday evening at UPMC Altoona following an extended illness. She was born in Roaring Spring, the daughter of Vicki (Davis) Finnegan and the late Alan Finnegan. Misty is survived…

Leslie Ann Layton, 72, Somerset, died June 4, 2026 at The Patriot. Born April 6, 1954 in Clarksburg, WV, daughter of Donald Eugene and Betty Luverne (Rogers) West. Preceded in death by parents and nephew Jonathon Morgan. Survived by her husband of 46 years, Robert Lloyd Layton, Jr.; twin sister Linda K. (Michael) Morgan; nephew…