A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Friday for Julia “Jay” Ferrara of Brookfield. She died of natural causes at 1:45 a.m. Sunday (7-20-08) in her home. She was 94.

Mrs. Ferrara was born Sept. 20, 1913, in Birmingham, Ala., a daughter of Angelo S. and Cologera Pitella Nicastro.

In 1941, she opened a home-front grocery store business on Lorain Street in Masury. Five years later, she helped open the Golden Dawn food store on Syme Street in Masury. She was co-founder of Valley View Discount Department Store in Brookfield that opened Aug. 27, 1959.

She was a member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Vienna.

Her husband, Joseph J. Ferrara, whom she married April 27, 1936, died Jan. 10, 2001.

Surviving are: her son, J.V. Ferrara and his wife Susan, Liberty Township, Trumbull County; her sister, Mary “Nell” Laslow, Brookfield; her grandchildren, Amy Ferrara-Addy, Frank Vitto, Shelley Nemcik and Jeremiah Ferrara; and her great-grandchildren, Julia and Andrew Addy; Danielle and Elisha Vitto; Cameron and Samantha Nemcik; and Neil A. Agliolo.

Besides her husband, Jay was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, Samuel and Peter Nicastro; and her sisters, Carmella Trinckes and Rosanna Fencyk.

As an expression of sympathy, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to Hospice of the Valley, 5190 Market St., Youngstown, OH 44512.

FERRARA

Mrs. Joseph J. (Julia “Jay”), 94, Brookfield.

Calling hours: 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday (7-24-08) in LANE FUNERAL HOMES, MADASZ CHAPEL, 6923 Warren-Sharon Road, Brookfield. Family and friends may send online condolences at www.MadaszChapel .com

Service: Mass of Christian burial at 9:30 a.m. Friday (7-25-08) in St. Vincent de Paul Church, Vienna, with the Rev. Frank Zanni, pastor, as celebrant.

Entombment: Crown Hill Burial Park, Vienna.