Esther K. (Allasia) Pompe, age 101, of West Deer Township, passed away
peacefully on October 4, 2024 at Butler Memorial Hospital. She was born
April 23,1923 in Russellton to the late Peter G. and Genoveffa (Sodano)
Allasia, originally from Martiniana Po, Italy.
Esther grew up and lived in Russellton for most of her life, graduating from
Springdale High School in 1941 as class valedictorian. She went on to work
at Springdale National Bank for 15 years through its transition to Pittsburgh
National Bank, before retiring to become a loving mother and homemaker.
In 1953, she married Frank Pompe, who happened to have a "sweet tooth".
She became an expert baker, and not a day went by that there wasn't a
choice of homemade pastries in the house. She learned to make Frank's
Slovene favorites – nut and poppyseed rolls, potica and apple strudel.
Cookies were her favorite, and a treat for everyone, especially at Christmas
and for weddings.
Esther was also a gourmet cook and will be remembered for her wonderful
holiday dinners featuring her homemade ravioli and gnocchi. We are
fortunate that she wrote a cookbook of her and her mother's favorite recipes.
As a young mother, Esther was an active member of the West Deer PTA and
a Girl Scout "cookie mother". She organized the Art Cart, a bus providing
transportation for kids across the Allegheny Valley to attend Saturday art
classes at the Carnegie Museum in Oakland.
Esther was creative, curious, and full of energy. Above all, she was a
devoted wife and mother.
Esther is survived by her daughter Jane E. Pompe and son-in-law Albert A.
LoRusso of Mars, her brother Elio (Mona) Allasia of Gibsonia, her brothers-in-
law Raymond (Patricia) Pompe of Greentree and Edward Yaworski of
Russellton, her sister-in-law Rose Marie (Richard) Wadding of Houston, TX,
nieces and nephews.
Besides her parents she was preceded in death by her husband Frank W.
Pompe, her sister Irma (Harry) Cronen and in-laws Jacob (Frances) Pompe,
Richard "Gil" (Helen) Pompe, Helen Yaworski and Josephine Pompe.
​

We thank Guy Gornick for always keeping an eye out for Esther at her
Russellton home. He and his family took care of her yard for 35 years and
she enjoyed the many conversations they had on the porch.
We also would like to thank the staff of Concordia Cabot Streitman Hall for
their kind and compassionate care and for becoming friends who brightened
her day.
Esther will be privately laid to rest in Deer Creek Cemetery, 902
Russellton Rd, Cheswick, PA 15024. In lieu of flowers memorial
contributions may be made to Concordia Lutheran Ministries
Foundation, 134 Marwood Rd. Cabot, PA 16023.
Arrangements are
entrusted to the Adam Siemianowski Funeral Home, 179 Starr Rd,
Russellton, PA 15076.