Divina "Dina" Buzga

Divina "Dina" Buzga, 94, passed away early Tuesday morning, July 5, 2022, at Otterbein Nursing Home in New Albany, Ohio after a short period of declining health.  Dina was born on November 15, 1927, in Brooklyn, NY, the daughter of Giovanni and Drusiana Panza.  As a first-generation American during the Great Depression, Dina would often recall the scarcity of food and heat during her youth in her family's cold-water flat, an experience that would forever shape her decisions.  She attended Girls Commercial High School in Brooklyn. Dina began her career with Travelers Insurance and then moved on to the former Bell System in their Manhattan offices for nearly 15 years before becoming a mother.

A chance meeting with navy sailor Joseph Buzga while out with friends sparked a 7-year courtship that lasted until she finally said "I do" in 1959. They were stationed in Korea during the early years of their marriage, a time Dina remembered fondly for the wonderful people, culture, and of course, the annual cherry blossoms. Eventually they settled into a home on a tree-lined street in Brooklyn to raise their four children. She was always frugal yet immensely generous to those she loved. She loved to read, cook, bake and talk. Dina had a vivacious personality and was adored by her family and friends in the Holy Ghost parish community, participating in the choir and many variety shows hosted by the church.

She persevered through life's challenges with stoic determination. Dina, Joe, and their four children moved from Brooklyn to Liberty, Ohio in 1976.  A devout Catholic and emphatic about quality education, Dina was firm in her commitment to a parochial education for her family, enrolling them in St Ed's and then Ursuline High School. Dina was very involved in St Ed's school and parish and many parishioners remember her as the school lunchroom coordinator and cook, a position she held for many years.  She was the driving force for the Friday Fish Fry Dinners and was well known for her cookies, pizza, and especially her biscotti.  

After she retired from St Ed's, she traveled often to see her children and grandchildren in Columbus, Akron, Boston, and even California.  She enjoyed summers on Cape Cod and many holiday seasons in Columbus with her family where she would cook and do plenty of laundry!  In her later years, she resided in Park Vista independent living where she enjoyed old and new friends, dinners, lectures, and Sundaes on Saturday! Ice cream became a main food group.

Dina was preceded in death by her husband, Joe and brother, Gary. She leaves her four children, Jeanne Cerulle (Rob) of Wellesley, MA; Joseph Buzga (Sue Davis) of Akron, Ohio; Irene Molnar (Michael Sosh) of New Albany, Ohio and Marian Buzga (Mark Rhomberg) of Los Angeles, CA, and grandchildren: Joey Molnar, Tony Molnar, Robby Cerulle, Susan Cerulle, Katie Cerulle, and Nina Molnar and step-grandchildren: Nicholas Sosh and Daniel Sosh who were very much a part of her life.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, July 15 at St Edward's Church in Youngstown. Visitation is at 10 a.m. A celebration of life will be held immediately after the service at V2 Restaurant on Federal Street in Youngtown. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to St Edwards Church, 238 Tod Lane, Youngstown, Ohio 44504, Attn: Msgr Siffrin. Arrangements by Schoedinger Funeral and Cremation Service of Gahanna, Ohio and McCauley Memorial Funeral Home of Youngstown.

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