Alberta Marguerite Bagnato, a longtime nurse and active member of the Oil City community for many years, died on June 10th at UPMC Northwest. “Bertie” was 90 years old.

She was born on February 6th, 1925 to John and Iva Goodman Luden in the small town of Guitonville, Pennsylvania. She was taught in a one-room schoolhouse, a place that meant so much to her she asked to remain there through eighth grade while the rest of her family moved to Oil City. After rejoining her family, she graduated from Cranberry High School and then attended nursing school, receiving a degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She volunteered to go to New Jersey to treat patients with polio at a time when it was not yet known whether the disease could be transmitted from person-to-person.

Returning to Oil City, she met Benedetto (Benny) Bagnato, and married him on June 5, 1952 at St. Stephen Church. For about 20 years, she cared for babies in the nursery of the Oil City Hospital. She often worked overnight shifts, spending her days raising her sons and keeping them involved in numerous activities.

She and Ben enjoyed dancing, Sunday rides and card parties with friends. She was active in various organizations, including the YWCA, the St. Stephen Rosary Society, and the Belle Lettres Club. She delivered Meals on Wheels, an activity she continued after her husband died suddenly the day after Christmas 1990. Bertie was always available to help out a friend, and remained kind and warm during her final years at the Oakwood Heights nursing home.

She is survived by her sons, Benedetto (Ben) III of Franklin; Barry and his wife Martha Mansfield of Olney, Maryland; Scott of New York City; and Robert and his wife Sara of Fredericksburg, Virginia. Barry and Martha’s daughter Laura Bagnato of Oakland, California also survives, as do several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Alberta was preceded in death by her sisters and brothers: Agnes Gadley, Adelaide Zglinski, Chuck Luden, Frank Luden and Eugene Luden.

Friends may call at the Reinsel Funeral Home on Thursday, June 11 from 5 to 8 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. at St. Stephen Church. Fr. Matthew Ruyechan will preside. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Visiting Nurses Association.

Condolences may be sent at www.reinselfuneralhome.com.