Verna Rea Kuhlber

Verna Rea (Skidmore) Kuhlber died Friday July 21, 2023 at Rosecrest on the St. John’s Campus of Lutheran Senior Life at the age of 95.   A longtime resident of Sewickley Heights Manor in Aleppo Township she was born December 5, 1927 in Pittsburgh, the only child of the late Arthur and Charlotte (Johnson) Skidmore.  She attended Avalon Elementary school before moving to Crestline, OH where she graduated from high school in 1945.  She graduated from Allegheny General Hospital School of Nursing in 1948 and was a longtime member of the Alumni Association.  She later received a bachelor’s degree from California State College and a master’s degree in guidance and counseling from Duquesne University. Verna was a devoted mother to her three children.  She was an avid reader and loved to travel.  Her passion was history and she worked tirelessly to complete the genealogy of her family as well as her husband’s.  She was a member of the Ben Avon and Sewickley Historical Societies and the History Channel was her favorite television program. She was active in the Pittsburgh Council for International Visitors when the children were younger hosting many people from diverse cultures for a meal, a short stay or showing them the city which she loved.  She loved music, especially opera, and was a season ticket holder with the Pittsburgh Opera for many years.  After doing some private duty nursing and raising her children, Verna worked for Avonworth and Bellevue school districts as a school nurse until she retired. Verna is survived by her three children, Debbie Murphy (Tom), Brad Kuhlber (Sue) and Bruce Kuhlber (Cyndie); her sister-in-law Carol Kuhlber Wright (Howard); her grandchildren Matthew Murphy (Meghan), Megan Murphy (Chris), Julie Appolonia (Mike), Kandace Kuhlber, Abbie Penland (Les), Josie Romasco (Kevin) and Sam Kuhlber (Tanya) and nine great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, Warren Kuhlber. At Verna’s request there will be no viewing or service.  She has willed her body to the Humanity Gifts Registry for use in medical research. A private family celebration will take place at a later date.

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