Obituary for Stephanie Susan Bartus (Poklemba)
Stephanie Susan Bartus, age 93, died peacefully at the Residence at Hilltop on Monday, May 14, 2018.
She was born in Donora, PA on December 31, 1924 the daughter of the late John and Susan Poklemba Sr.
Stephanie lived in Donora her entire life until moving to the Residence at Hilltop. She had a strong love and commitment for the Mon Valley and was involved in many Valley activities. She was a Girl Scout leader and later a Camp Fire Girls leader for many years. She especially enjoyed Summer Camp in the tents.
She was a member of Our Lady of the Valley Church in Donora.
In the 1960's, she worked as a book keeper / administrator for the Mon Valley Youth Corp. She spent 24 years with the Mon Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross, then located in Donora. She began as Director of Service to Active Military, Veterans and Families, where she arranged emergency travel for local military personnel, provided a weekly ride service for many volunteers and military veterans to the VA Hospital in Pittsburgh, and provided help for local military families. She later became Executive Director of the Mon Valley Chapter. As Executive Director, she managed the chapter's activities and finances, coordinated Red Cross blood drives, organized well baby clinics, food banks, and provided emergency relief for local families, who experienced disasters such as flood or fire. She remained at the Mon Valley Chapter until she retired in 1993.
In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, Steven D. Bartus, her grand daughter, Shawn Rachel Chou, her brothers, Andrew, George, and John Poklemba; and sisters, Helen Liwak and Elizabeth Huzdulik.
Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Barbara Bartus Chou Ph.D. and David Chou, M.D.; a grandson John Chou, all of Lake Forest Park, WA; and several nieces and nephews.
Arrangements are being handled by Anthony L. Massafra Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Inc., 40 Second Street Extension, Donora, PA 15033 (724) 379-6900 where the family will receive friends from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM, Friday, May 18, 2018, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM in Our Lady of the Valley Church with Rev. Fr. Pierre M. Falkenhan as celebrant.
Her family would like to thank the nurses and staff at the Residence at Hilltop for the wonderful care and many laughs the provided over the years and also thanks to the nurses at Pilgrimage Hospice of Pittsburgh for compassionate care at the end of her life.
The family suggests that memorial donations be made to the Donora Public Library, 510 Meldon Avenue, Donora, PA 15033
To share a condolence please visit www.massafrafuneralhome.com.
She was born in Donora, PA on December 31, 1924 the daughter of the late John and Susan Poklemba Sr.
Stephanie lived in Donora her entire life until moving to the Residence at Hilltop. She had a strong love and commitment for the Mon Valley and was involved in many Valley activities. She was a Girl Scout leader and later a Camp Fire Girls leader for many years. She especially enjoyed Summer Camp in the tents.
She was a member of Our Lady of the Valley Church in Donora.
In the 1960's, she worked as a book keeper / administrator for the Mon Valley Youth Corp. She spent 24 years with the Mon Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross, then located in Donora. She began as Director of Service to Active Military, Veterans and Families, where she arranged emergency travel for local military personnel, provided a weekly ride service for many volunteers and military veterans to the VA Hospital in Pittsburgh, and provided help for local military families. She later became Executive Director of the Mon Valley Chapter. As Executive Director, she managed the chapter's activities and finances, coordinated Red Cross blood drives, organized well baby clinics, food banks, and provided emergency relief for local families, who experienced disasters such as flood or fire. She remained at the Mon Valley Chapter until she retired in 1993.
In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, Steven D. Bartus, her grand daughter, Shawn Rachel Chou, her brothers, Andrew, George, and John Poklemba; and sisters, Helen Liwak and Elizabeth Huzdulik.
Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Barbara Bartus Chou Ph.D. and David Chou, M.D.; a grandson John Chou, all of Lake Forest Park, WA; and several nieces and nephews.
Arrangements are being handled by Anthony L. Massafra Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Inc., 40 Second Street Extension, Donora, PA 15033 (724) 379-6900 where the family will receive friends from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM, Friday, May 18, 2018, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM in Our Lady of the Valley Church with Rev. Fr. Pierre M. Falkenhan as celebrant.
Her family would like to thank the nurses and staff at the Residence at Hilltop for the wonderful care and many laughs the provided over the years and also thanks to the nurses at Pilgrimage Hospice of Pittsburgh for compassionate care at the end of her life.
The family suggests that memorial donations be made to the Donora Public Library, 510 Meldon Avenue, Donora, PA 15033
To share a condolence please visit www.massafrafuneralhome.com.
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