Avanell Betty Tomica passed away in the early morning hours on Monday, August 20, 2012, at Warren Manor.

Mrs. Tomica was born April 30, 1924, in Olanta, Pa., the daughter of the late Clarence and Lucy Mae Witherow.

Avanell was always interested in helping people in need, and was looking forward to being reunited someday with those who passed before her, and being with the Lord.  She worked at Blair Corp for a few years, and always helped anyone who she felt needed care. The family would like to thank Warren Manor for the excellent care she received while residing there.

She is survived by two sons, Dan Tomica, Detroit, MI and David Tomica, Warren, Pa.; three grandchildren, Dan, and wife, Sue, also of Detroit, MI, Beth Hewitt, and husband, Ryan, Las Vegas, NV and Ellen Tomica, Washington, DC; three great-grandchildren, Natalie, Anna and Connor Tomica; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, Joseph Tomica, whom she married December 6, 1941; seven brothers, Cloyd, Weir, Morris, Ardell, Kenneth, Eldon and Clifford Witherow; and five sisters, Ethel and Winefred Witherow, Gertrude Hoyt, Audrey Witherow Ruby and Geraldine Durandetta.

Friends will be received at the Peterson - Blick Funeral Home, Inc., 1003 Penn Ave., E., Warren, on Saturday, August 25,  for one hour prior to a funeral service to be held there at 11 a.m.,  with Rev. Marcus Briggs, pastor, Rouse Warren Co. Home and Warren General Hospital, officiating.

Burial will be in the Gibbs Hill Cemetery, Ludlow, Pa.

Memorial donations may be made to the Crippled Children Foundation or the Salvation Army.

The family will receive e-condolences through www.petersonblickfuneralhome.com