LaVerne Eleanor Alexander

LaVerne Eleanor Alexander, née Manion, a devoted wife, loving mother of six, gifted artist, and longtime community volunteer whose warmth, creativity, and faith left an enduring mark on the many places she called home, died peacefully at her residence on November 4, 2025, surrounded by her family. She was 91.

Born on March 1, 1934, in Braddock, Pennsylvania to Eleanor Gale (nee Myers) and Edwin Aloysius Manion and lived in Turtle Creek before moving to Plum Township as a teenager, LaVerne grew up in a remarkably large and close-knit family that included 32 aunts and uncles and 55 first cousins. From this vibrant upbringing she learned to love expansively, a quality that defined her throughout her life.

After graduating from Plum High School, she pursued her passion for art at the Carnegie Institute. She began her professional career as an advertising artist for Murphy’s Catalog Company and Kaufmann’s Department Store in Pittsburgh, producing hand-drawn ads in an era when all commercial artwork relied on the skill of the artist’s eye and hand. Her artistic talent remained one of the threads that connected every chapter of her life.

LaVerne married her beloved husband, John, and together they built a life rich in family, friendships, and adventure. Their many moves took them to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Sudbury, Massachusetts; Oxon Hill, Maryland; Painesville, Ohio; Lake Oswego, Oregon; Wyckoff, New Jersey; and Old Lyme, Connecticut. She drove across the United States twice—first in the family’s move from Ohio to Oregon, then again from Oregon to New Jersey—finding joy in each new start.

Wherever she lived, LaVerne found meaningful ways to serve her community. She contributed her time and talents to the Western Reserve Junior Service League, Welcome Wagon, Newcomers Club, Lyme Art Association, and especially the Old Lyme Women’s Exchange, where she volunteered for more than 30 years. She attended Women’s Exchange conferences across the country and designed the logo that still welcomes visitors to the Lyme Tree Gift Shop in Old Lyme.

Her creativity extended into countless community projects. While living in Painesville, she crafted handmade puppets and performed shows in local elementary schools, including a special Bicentennial program in 1976 featuring “Patrick the Patriotic Puppet,” teaching children about the American flag. She later performed in the “Red Stocking Revue” and designed its promotional brochure, another example of how her artistic gifts enriched the communities around her.

A lifelong lover of travel, LaVerne explored the world with her family. She treasured her multiple trips to Japan; a Rhine River cruise; and multiple European travels through nine countries over the years. She visited 46 of the 50 United States and many cities in Canada. Her favorite vacation memories took place in the Outerbanks of North Carolina where she painted seascapes and lighthouses, competed to finish the weekly jigsaw puzzles and just spent quality time with her family.    

During the family’s years in Painesville, LaVerne became fondly known around town as “the blue streak,” a reference to the blue station wagon she zipped around in as she ferried her children to countless appointments, activities, and events.

Faith was the center of LaVerne’s life. A devoted Christian woman, she lived her belief with bold conviction and led by example. Her weekly Bible study group was a source of friendship, fellowship and strength, and she taught her children about Jesus not simply through words, but through the way she lived. Her storytelling—rich, detailed, and vivid—could transport listeners fully into the memory, making them feel as though they were right there beside her.

LaVerne had an extraordinary ability to make every person in her large family feel uniquely loved. Her artistic gifts live on in her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren; her faith lives on in the lessons she imparted; and her warmth lives on in the countless lives she touched.

She is survived by her children Pamela Jayne, David Alexander (Carolyn), Daniel Alexander,

Tina Albrecht (Wolfgang), and Bonnie Rizzuti (Ed); her grandchildren Jena, Ashleigh, John, Katherine, Lauren, Eric, Wolfgang, Kyle, Julia, Grace, and Eddie; and her great-grandchildren Jordan, Bryce, Logan, Elliot, and Wolfgang. She is also survived by her nieces and nephews Sharon, Edwin Michael, Maureen, LaVerne, Timmy, Drew, and Susan. She will be deeply missed by friends across the country, especially Judy, Barbara, and Mona. She was predeceased by her husband, John Audley Alexander, and her son, John Jr.  Though her family grieves deeply, they rejoice in knowing she is in glory, and that a part of her continues to live within each of them.

A Celebration of Life with light lunch to follow will be held on January 17, 2026 11:00am at the Saybrook Point Inn in Old Saybrook, CT.  If you plan to attend, please let the family know by texting or calling her daughter, Tina at 201-264-7309.   In the spring, her ashes will be interred at Allegheny National Veterans Cemetery in Pittsburgh, where she will rest beside her beloved John.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Old Lyme Women’s Exchange, Old Lyme, Connecticut, in recognition of LaVerne’s many years of devoted service.

LaVerne ended every conversation the same way—“love ya, love ya, love ya.” Those words now echo in the hearts of all who were blessed to know her. .