Millicent "Millie" Gerbo

Millicent “Millie” Gerbo, lovingly known as Mimi by those closest to her, 68, of Weirton, so peacefully went home to be with the Lord Friday, October 6, 2017, at home. She was born May 9, 1949, in Weirton, a daughter of the late Steven and Mildred (Ralich) Solomon. She was also preceded in death by her infant brother, Nicholas “Sonny” Solomon, sister Martha Jean Hinchee and brothers-in-law William Hinchee, William E. Bosworth, Chilson P. Gaudreau, and Thomas E. Kazienko. Millie devoted her life to being an advocate for children with special needs after the birth of her daughter, Sarah. She helped found S.P.E.C.I.A.L., the first support group for special needs children in Hancock and Brooke Counties and was retired from West Virginia Parent Training and Information, where she was a parent trainer for special needs families in the Northern Panhandle. In 2013, she was inducted into the Weirton Hall of Fame for her work. She also previously worked for the Weirton Chamber of Commerce, First National Bank, and Trans-Buckeye Steel. Millie was a member of the Family of God Christian Center, where she previously served as bookkeeper and treasurer. She helped organize many Christian outreach events locally, including concerts and plays, and also participated in the original “I Found It” campaign in Weirton. She was a representative of the Be United in Christ ministry, which sponsored numerous bus trips to the Creation Museum and Ark Experience in Kentucky, as well as Passion Play trips to Cambridge, Ohio, and many other functions for children with disabilities and their families. The love of her life was her family – her husband George and children Georgie and Sarah – whom she constantly reinforced with her faith and determination. Millie also had a love for traveling. After hosting two French exchange students who came to call her their “American mother,” Millie and her family took a trip to Paris and the French Riviera. She primarily enjoyed visiting their time share in Cocoa Beach, Florida, and trips to see family out-of-state. As was her mother, Millie also was renown for her hospitality and compassion in opening her home on January 6th and 7th perpetually, to all family, as well as friends and community representatives (whom she regarded as extended family), that would come and celebrate Serbian Orthodox Christmas. Millie positively and dramatically touched the lives of all who she met through her love and faith in Jesus Christ. Millie is survived by her husband George N. Gerbo, Jr.; son George N. Gerbo III; daughter Sarah Ann Gerbo; sisters Shirley (Chilson P.) Gaudreau and Roberta (Thomas) Kazienko of Weirton and Rose (William) Bosworth of Tampa, Fla.; and a wealth of nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles, friends and brethren who were all loved the same, and too many to be numbered at this writing, but will be listed in Heaven Visitation will be held Monday, Oct. 9 from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at the Greco-Hertnick Funeral Home, 3219 Main Street, Weirton, where funeral services will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Tuesday Oct. 10. Bishop Craig Greathouse will officiate. Interment will follow in St. Paul Cemetery, Weirton.