Ava Dupree-Laye

Ava Dupree-Laye, age 67, of Homewood, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, formerly of Pittsburgh, peacefully departed this life December 24, 2025. Ava was the beloved wife of Frank Laye.

Ava was born on September 30, 1958, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to the late Robert Johnson and Walter Lee Dupree. She was educated in the Pittsburgh Public School system, attending Belmar Elementary School and Westinghouse High School. Ava continued her education at the University of Pittsburgh, where she studied Psychology.

Throughout her life, Ava was dedicated to serving others. She worked at Duquesne Light and Shuman Center, later continuing her career at Magee Hospital and the Family Health Council. With a deep love for children and families, Ava began working at the Family Support Center in Homewood. Her passion for helping others eventually led her to relocate to Maryland, where she became involved in community outreach at AHC Greater Maryland, continuing her lifelong commitment to community outreach and resident services. Ava relocated to Ocala Florida where she became a Covid Contact Tracer for the Health Department. Ava had a short stay in Louisiana then eventually made her way back home to Pittsburgh. Ava LOVED spending time with her Grand Daughter, Kye. Ava enjoyed a good meal, planning family reunions, family gathering, and vacations with her loved one’s. She was also known as “Hip Hop Granny” from the love she had for music. Ava spent several hours on the phone talking to many friends and family. Her favorite conversation was with her Best friend/Niece, Vanessa Washington. Ava showed dedication to her family and ALWAYS was the Life of the Party!

Ava was a loving mother to Dion Dupree and Kelli Renee Laye, and a proud grandmother to Desiree Harrison, Dion Dupree Jr., Dorion Dupree, Delilah Dupree, Kye Ferguson, Demaris Dupree, and D’Ori Dupree.

She was preceded in death by her sisters Willa McNair (Cleveland, Ohio), Inez Washington (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania), and Bernice Griffin(Albert) (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), and her brothers Thomas Dupree, Eddie Dupree (Catherine) and Leonard Dupree, (Patricia) all of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Ava leaves to cherish her memory her loving brother Eugene Dupree(Barbara) of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, along with a host of nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends.

A Celebration of Life Ceremony honoring Ava Dupree-Laye will be held on January 10, 2026, with friends welcome from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM, at 655 Rodi Road, Penn Hills, Pennsylvania 15235.

Ava will be remembered for her compassion, her dedication to community, and her unwavering love for her family and children everywhere she served.