R. Shirley (Cortese) Masi

William Snyder Funeral Home

Obituaries | The Tube City Almanac | April 16, 2020

R. Shirley (Cortese) Masi, age 85, of North Versailles, PA, went to be with her Lord and Savior after a short battle with cancer. She died at home, surrounded by loving family on Wednesday, April 15, 2020. Born and raised in Braddock, she married the late Thomas Masi. They raised their family in North Versailles, where she was an active member of the community for nearly six decades.

She was a devoted member of St. Robert Bellarmine Church (now Mary, Mother of God Parish) in East McKeesport for 59 years; she was a lunch lady volunteer at her children’s grade school; she was an enthusiastic volunteer to get meals to her food-insecure neighbors through both Meals on Wheels and most recently Ma’s Pantry; she joined and was affiliated with several groups, including Christian Mothers, the Wilmerding YMCA, Suddenly Single, and the East Allegheny chapter of AARP. Her many communities made for many long and cherished friendships.

Shirley wore many hats: Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Aunt, Sister, Cousin, Friend, Volunteer, and Neighbor. She loved her family and most especially “her boys:” the three grandsons who gave her so much joy. Always with a sense of humor, a smile on her face, and a pleasant disposition, Shirley loved being out in the community and out in the world. She enjoyed many bus trips to Wildwood, NJ, with friends and travel companions.

She relished cooking for her family, in which she especially showcased her Italian heritage.

Shirley was loved and held dear by many: her late parents Joseph and Clara (Molinaro) Cortese; her late husband Thomas; her late daughter Karen (Masi) Roebuck Schlanger and her late husband Joseph Roebuck, and their children Nicholas, Alexander, and Zachary Roebuck; her son-in-law James Schlanger; her son James and his partner Pat Holcomb; her brother Minotto Cortese; her brother Peter Cortese and his wife Donna; her brother-in-law Frank Matts; her beloved aunt and travel companion Ida Haupt; and treasured aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, friends, and neighbors.

Because of current health advisories, a private service will be held for immediate family members at Forgie Snyder Funeral Home, 1032 Broadway, East McKeesport, 412-823-8083. Shirley will be interred beside her late husband Thomas at Penn Lincoln Memorial Park in Irwin.

In lieu of flowers, Shirley has requested you make a donation in her name to Ma’s Pantry, P.O. Box 1, East McKeesport, PA 15035.  For online condolences please visit www.snyderfuneralservices.com.

To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of R. Shirley (Cortese) Masi please visit our Sympathy Store.

Originally published April 16, 2020.

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