By J. Miles Layton
FAIRMONT — Citizen journalist and longtime Times West Virginian columnist Flora Jean Allevato died early Sunday morning.
Allevato’s contributions to the “Good Morning” column often centered around her family, the people in her life and the tight community she called home. Her last column, published Saturday, tells how God’s grace abounds at St. Ann’s Catholic Church.
“Flora Jean contributed a column every other week for the past several years,” said Misty Poe, managing editor of the Times WV. “She offered our readers an insight into days gone by and she will surely be missed. In addition to writing columns, Allevato was a faithful contributor to Readers Write where she offered on hot issues affecting the community.”
Sister Stella Cronauer, of Community of Sisters of Saint Joseph in Baden, Pa., has known Allevato for the more than 17 years that she has been ministering in the Immaculate Conception parish. In years past, Allevato was very active in the Women’s Society of Immaculate Conception Parish as well as the Catholic Daughters of America.
“I was shocked to hear of her death today,” Cronauer said. “She will be missed by many of her family and friends. Flora Jean was a very devout Christian who attended Mass frequently. She knew so much of the history of Fairmont and shared many stories with me when I would visit. I will miss her.”
Domico Funeral Home in Fairmont is in charge of arrangements, which were incomplete at press time.
E-mail J. Miles Layton at mlayton@timeswv.com.
