Veronica Mae (Panek) Bottegal

Veronica Mae “Ronnie" Bottegal, 76, passed away August 23, 2023 at her home in Lower Burrell. She loved the fact that, like Loretta Lynn, she too was born a coal miner’s daughter, to Thomas Matthew and Regina Mae Panek on July 2, 1947 in Altoona, PA. She was a 1965 graduate of Bishop Carroll High School in Ebensburg, PA and went on to study Radiology Technology at Altoona Hospital. After graduation from her program, she became the X-ray tech for Dr. Cablan Azar, DDS, in Altoona. Soon after starting with Dr. Azar she took on the dual role of being his dental assistant as well as his radiology technician.

Her professional career continued to take her places she never imagined, working in the credit office of the Joseph Hornes Department store in Monroeville, to working in accounting with CPA Sid Breeman, later, accountant Sally Gross and finally at R&R Services in Natrona Heights, from where she retired in 2018.

In her personal life she was a great spoiler of sons, grandsons, daughters-in-law, nieces, nephews and the love of her life for over 50 years, her husband Paul Bottegal.  She took immense joy in caring for her family and doting on them. She also loved shopping, baseball, classic cars, her front and back porches, cooking, and her Polish-Irish heritage. “If you leave here hungry, it’s your own fault!” was a common phrase uttered from her kitchen to guests. She also loved gadgets, both kitchen and electronic. When asked about her favorite music artist, without hesitation she exclaimed “Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons and Rod Stewart!“ So while big girls don’t cry, there are five big boys today with tears in their eyes. Ronnie is survived by her sons Richard Thomas (Casey Yossa) Bottegal and Matthew Thomas (Karen) Bottegal, her grandsons, Timothy and Richard David Bottegal, and her loving husband, Paul Bottegal, for whom she’ll always remain, “Forever young.” 

She is also survived by her brothers, Thomas Matthew Panek, Jr (Marge) and Michael Panek (Cathy) and her sister, Regina Marie (Tony) Choros.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas Matthew (Tim) and Regina (Mae) Panek, and her younger sister, Linda Panek Mazzocco.

Friends will be received on Sunday, August 27 from 2-4 and 6-8 pm in the Giunta-Bertucci Funeral Home, Inc., 1509 Fifth Avenue, Arnold, JohnPaul Bertucci Owner/Supervisor.  Prayers of Transfer will be held at 9:30 am on Monday, August 28 in the funeral home followed by a funeral Mass 10:00 am at St. Margaret Mary Church, Lower Burrell.  Burial will be at Union Cemetery, Arnold. 

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