Vera Ann Ritzert Clingensmith, 73, of Chicora died Friday at her home, surrounded by her family, after a brief illness.

Born July 13, 1932, in Millerstown, now Chicora, she was the daughter of I.J. Ritzert and Vera Catherine Sweeny Ritzert.

Agraduate of Millerstown High School., she married William L. Clingensmith on July 1, 1953, in Brentwood. They celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in 2003.

She worked as a nurse's aide at Sunnyview until her retirement.

She was always willing to try new things and had an adventurous spirit. Vera was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She never missed the opportunity to attend her grandchildren's events.

Vera enjoyed ceramics, following the Pittsburgh Steelers and working in her flower beds. She also loved to travel, visiting many historic places here and abroad.

Vera will be best remembered by the way in which she touched her family and friends with her thoughtfulness, caring and unconditional love and remembering this we are keeping her legacy alive.

She is survived by her husband; her four children, David Clingensmith and his wife, Roxanne, of Tennessee, Mrs. Gregg (Barbara) McElravy of Chicora, Mrs. Michael (Teresa) Veith of Butler and Linda Clingensmith and her fiancé, Kevin Daly of Pittsburgh; her sister Alma Crosby of Pittsburgh; and her brother, Harold Ritzert of Chicora.

She also is survived by eight grandchildren, Courtney, William, Charles, Darby, Joshua, Cody, Ashley and Zachary, and two great-granddaughters, Tealy and Tobeigh.

Two brothers and a sister preceded her in death.

<B>CLINGENSMITH </B>—<B> </B>Visitation for Vera Ann Ritzert Clingensmith, who died Friday, May 12, 2006, will be for immediate family. There will be no public visitation or viewing. A Mass of Christian burial will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Mater Dolorosa Roman Catholic Church in Chicora. Arrangements are by <B>STEIGHNER FUNERAL HOME</B>, Chicora.In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 1131, Fairfax, VA, 22038-1131.