NILES – Ada Doran Bertolini died peacefully in her sleep at her home in Niles, Ohio on the morning of Feb. 7, 2011.

Mrs. Bertolini, who was also known as “Ada” or “Grandma B” to her friends and family, was born on May 4, 1929, in Niles, Ohio.

She was the second of three children born to the late Joseph E. Doran Sr. and Mary Frances Bohné Doran.

Her father managed Leopold’s Shoe Store in downtown Niles and was a well known businessman in the community.

Her grandfather, Col. F. W. Bohné, who was born in Louisville, Ky., was an architect who designed many buildings in Niles, which included the reconstruction of St. Stephen’s Church, the Niles Train Station and several other buildings in Youngstown and Warren, Ohio.

In recognition of his outstanding community service, he was commissioned a Kentucky Colonel by the Governor of Kentucky and was respectfully known throughout the area as simply “The Colonel.” Many other family members were later commissioned as “Colonels;” this included Ada and four of her grown children. Colonel Bohné was one of the founders of the Democratic Party in Niles, Ohio.

Ada graduated from Niles McKinley High School in 1947 and was very active in many school activities, which included the newspaper staff. She wanted to be the copy editor for the high school newspaper, but was too young for this position. Ironically, she applied for and obtained the same position for the local newspaper, the Niles Daily Times. The actual building in which she worked was another building designed by Colonel Bohné.

Ada was very active in the Girl Scouts, especially during the World War II years, when she and her scout troop collected materials that were in short supply and provided them for the troops.

After school graduation, Ada attended Youngstown State University, where she met her future husband, Mario Bertolini, of Austintown, Ohio.
At that time, he was attending Youngstown State University on the GI Bill.
He was a veteran of the Army and served in the Pacific Theater in World War II.
They eventually married on July 30, 1949. The marriage produced a set of twins, who were known throughout Niles as the “Doran twins.” Their formal names were Joseph Louis and Maryhelen. Ada later gave birth to another daughter, Mary Frances, who was followed by a son, Lawrence Edward, known as “Larry.”

Ada was an active member of the Mothers of Twins Club, served as the Cub Scout den leader and was the leader in the Girl Scouts and Brownie Troops.

Ada always wanted to be a teacher, but was unable to finish college at that time because she was raising her children. She initially taught at St. Stephen’s School and later at St. Pius X, Warren. She returned to college and eventually graduated in 1967, with a degree in Education. She was a member of the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi. She was then hired by the Niles City School District, where she taught at Jackson Elementary and later at Lincoln Elementary.
She was injured at work, which forced her to obtain a disability retirement about 23 years ago. She remembered her former students with great fondness.

Her husband, Mario, was a well respected artist and high school art teacher. He initially taught in the Austintown Elementary Schools, and later at Niles McKinley High School. In fact, his art room was the “centerpiece” of the exterior of the new Niles McKinley High School, which opened in 1964. The exterior of the art room was in blue tile, which contrasted with the red brick exterior. Mario also taught concurrently at both the Youngstown State University Art Department and the Kent State University branches in Warren, Salem and Ashtabula.

Through her lifetime, Ada was passionate about gardening (both flowers and vegetables). She was well known in the community for her beautiful flower garden in the front of her house. She loved to travel and especially enjoyed her trips to Italy, Ireland and England. She had a fine appreciation for art, music, reading and especially enjoyed reading about different cultures and religion.

In her later years, when she was unable to travel, she enjoyed watching television programs and videos, especially comedies such as “M.A.S.H.” and “The Cosby Show,” along with dramas as “Murder, She Wrote.” She was also an avid card player, and very much enjoyed playing “500 Rummy.” And she was very passionate about anything Irish and especially Irish music.

Ada lost the love of her life on Aug. 8, 1997. She was preceded in death by her parents and then by her daughter, Mary Helen (2001).

She is survived by her son, Joseph Louis (Dr. Lynn DiMarzio-Bertolini) of Boardman and her daughter, Mary Frances of San Diego and son Lawrence (Eileen McGivern) of Columbus, Ohio.

She also leaves to cherish her memory her eight grandchildren; a step grandson; three great-grandchildren; four spiritually adopted grandchildren; two brothers; and a host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and close friends in Niles, Ohio and vicinity.

Calling hours are scheduled from 1:30 to 2:45 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 20, at St. Rose Church on State St. in Girard.

A memorial Mass will be held at 3 p.m. at the church.

Mrs. Bertolini’s remains will be buried at St. Stephens Cemetery, next to her husband and deceased children.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations to Ada’s favorite charities, Emmanuel Care Center of Girard or the Youngstown State University

Visit www.holetonyuhasz.com to send condolences.

Arrangements by the Holeton-Yuhasz Funeral Home, 126 W. Park Ave., Niles, OH 44446.