Arletta Pugh

Arletta Catherine Pugh, (nee Nichols) passed away Thursday, September 20, 2018 in Ligonier, PA.  She was 89.  She was a 59 year resident of Youngwood, Westmoreland County.  Arletta was the youngest of four children born to Harry Thomas and Hazel Edith Nichols on February 8, 1929 in Ridgeway, Elk County, Pennsylvania in the home of her maternal grandfather. She acquired her unique first name from her maternal grandmother.   She is preceded in death by husband, Harry Eugene Pugh, Sr., her parents, her brother Thomas, sister Edith and her grandchildren, Denise and Kyle.  Arletta was raised in Arnold and New Kensington, Westmoreland County, PA.  She graduated from New Kensington High School in 1947.  She worked at Alcoa before her marriage to Harry, whom she met when he was visiting her brother, Norman, at her parents’ home. Arletta and Harry married in Winchester, VA in 1952. She and her husband lived in Tarentum and Natrona Heights before settling in Youngwood. Arletta worked tirelessly, providing love and support for her husband, while raising their five children and maintaining the home they all shared.  She will be long remembered for her gentle way and loving smile.  Arletta loved, and was loved by her family unconditionally throughout her life.  She was an amazing wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother.  She returned to work in the 70s as a salesclerk in a gift shop.  She was a long standing member of the Youngwood United Methodist Church, and spent many years in their choir.  She was a past member of the Eastern Star and Associate Bethel Guardian for Job’s Daughters. She was adventurous, having rode on a Harley motorcycle for the first time when in her 50’s.  She traveled with her husband to Hawaii, California  and spent many a winter enjoying the Florida sun.   Arletta is survived by her five children; Janet of Sterling VA, Cynthia (David) of Langhorne PA, Harry, Jr. (Michele) of Newport News VA, John (Gingre) of Greensburg and Jeffrey of Natrona Heights PA, two grandchildren, David (Elizabeth) of VA and Alex of Langhorne and two great granddaughters, Scarlett and Eva.   She also is survived by her much loved brother, Norman and many nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends are invited to pay their respects from 4:00 to 6:00 PM, Monday, September 24th 2018 at the Kepple-Graft Funeral Home, 524 North Main Street, Greensburg.  Additional viewing will be held from 10:00 AM until the time of service at 11:00 Tuesday at the funeral home with the Rev Chris Whitehead officiating.  Interment will follow in St. Clair Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.  For online condolences, please visit www.kepplegraft.com.