Westmoreland Choral Society

memorial - Vera El-Attrache - Sorprano

Veronica ElAttrache
Mt. Pleasant

Vera El-Attrache Veronica "Vera" (Doneit) ElAttrache, 70, of Mt. Pleasant, lost her life on Sunday, Aug. 7, 2005, but never lost her spirit to live during a three-year battle with ovarian cancer. Outlasting every medical option available, Vera kept fighting this formidable foe, driven by her love of family and determined to live her life to the fullest. Although her fight is over, Vera came out the victor, not a victim. She was born March 13, 1935, in New York, N.Y. a daughter of the late Johannes and Helene Kuemmel Doneit. The long battle began with surgery and a four-month recovery in Los Angeles, Calif., before transferring back home to Magee Women's Hospital in Pittsburgh, and ending at Frick Hospital in Mt. Pleasant. Vera never considered herself a cancer victim. She explained, "I've never questioned why me? Why this? Why now? I'm not angry and I'm not afraid to die. Cancer is not payment or repayment of something you have or haven't done. It's one of the conditions of living in an imperfect world." Vera tried to make that world a little better with her life of service and accomplishment. She began her career of caring in 1958 at Northwestern University Hospital in Chicago, Ill., where she completed her nursing degree and married Dr. Selim ElAttrache (currently a resident of Mt. Pleasant). The couple moved to Salt Lake City, Utah, where each practiced at the Primary Children's Hospital and the Shriner's Children's Hospital before making their permanent home in Mt. Pleasant in 1965. In 1973, Mrs. ElAttrache co-founded and became president of the Mt. Pleasant chapter of Meals-on-Wheels. In 1978, she joined the Westmoreland Choral Society and served two-terms as president before becoming general manager, namesake and first recipient of the WCS V.E.R.A. (Volunteer of Excellence Recognition Award). She also served a term on the MPAHS School Board from 1981-1983. When asked what her greatest accomplishment was, Vera smiled and said "my four children!" She also reminisced and was glad people could turn to her for help and know it would be kept confidential. "I never asked who had the need, I only asked what is the need." Mrs. ElAttrache is survived by sons, Dr. Neal ElAttrache, his wife, Tricia, and their children, Nicole, Natalie and Eva, of Los Angeles, Calif., Dr. Reid ElAttrache, his wife, Becky, and their children, Reid and Teddy, of Peters Township, Dr. Dean ElAttrache, of Virginia Beach, Va., and daughter, Robin Gallagher and her husband, Patrick, of Sewickley Heights. She is also survived by her sister, Jeanette Kraus, of Brookfield, Wis. The list of children would not be complete without mentioning Mr. Ted Landis, his wife Gale, and their daughters, Alexis and Olivia, of Anthem, Ariz. "My peace comes from my family and friends. I've been blessed with four children and five grandchildren. I'm very, very blessed with friends without whom I couldn't have waged this battle." Beyond all hope, Vera was determined to "beat this thing" by continuing to be independent, resuming to sing, babysitting her grandchildren coast to coast, and encouraging others with cancer during chemo sessions, and by speaking at a dinner in Los Angeles for cancer survivors. Vera stressed "God doesn't always give second chances, but I've been given many. I may not have been cured, but I've been healed." When asked to explain, she added, "I'll be ok." Her spirit was willing, but her body was unable. With her last breath, she left this world as she lived in it, with a gentle grace. Heartfelt thanks is extended to the amazing oncologists and their teams of nurses who fought alongside our mother: Dr. Robin Farias-Eisner of UCLA Medical Center, Dr. Ben Schwartz and Dr. John Kelly of Magee Women's Hospital, and Dr. John Waas of Frick Hospital. Special thanks goes to Dr. Kaldoun AlSadi, also from Frick. In lieu of flowers, please send a memorial gift to one of Vera's beloved organizations: Meals-on-Wheels, 822 W. Main St., Mt. Pleasant, PA. 15666, The Westmoreland Choral Society, P.O. Box 518, Greensburg, PA 15601 or The Joan English Fund for Women's Cancer Research, 1600 Mahall Place, Dominguez, Calif. 90220. The family will receive visitors from noon to 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 12, at the BROOKS FUNERAL HOME, 406 E. Washington St., Mt. Pleasant. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 13, in the First Evangelical Lutheran Church, 246 S. Main St., Greensburg, with the Rev. Allen E. Scanlon officiating.

Neighborhood nurse thought of others

By Jennifer Reeger, TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Thursday, August 11, 2005