Audrey Balawajder's Obituary
Audrey N. Balawajder, 91, formerly a 60-year resident of West Mifflin, passed away peacefully at UPMC Williamsport Hospital on January 20, 2025 and most recently was a resident at WeCare Nursing & Rehabilitation in Montoursville.
She was born in Duquesne on September 13, 1933, a daughter of Paul and Anna (Syrek) Neslanik and Martha Neslanik.
She was a 1951 graduate of Duquesne High School where she remained very active with her high school class reunion committee and went on to graduate from Douglas Business College. Audrey retired after 31 years at Bettis Atomic Power Laboratory in West Mifflin.
She had been a longtime member of the former Holy Spirit Catholic Church and very active in the church's Rosary Chain and Golden Agers. She was a founding member of the Star Bowling League in West Mifflin, an active card player, she loved playing cards with her neighbor Dorothy and all of her friends on Spring Valley Rd. Audrey was most proud of her Polish heritage; she was a member of the Polish Cultural Council in Pittsburgh as well as attending the Polka Festival at 7Springs Resort for over 40 years.
Audrey and her husband, Joseph S. Balawajder were married on July 10, 1954, they celebrated 58 years of marriage prior to his death in 2012.
Surviving are her sons, Gregg (Christine) Balawajder of Montoursville and their son Joseph and daughter Aly (Kurt) Wertz; and Retired Lt. Col. Todd (Clare) Balawajder of Williamsburg, VA and their son Andrew; and siblings Laura Gontkon (deceased), Roberta (Fred) May of Redmond, Wash., Hedy (Dr. Warren) Howe of Cranberry, PA and Paul (Dolores) Neslanik, of Greenville PA.
Family and friends will be received on Thursday, January 30, 2025 from 2:00-4:00 and 6:00-8:00pm. at Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home, 301 Curry Hollow Rd., Pittsburgh, PA 15236.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:00am on Friday, January 31, 2025 at Triumph of the Holy Cross Parish, St. Elizabeth of Hungary Worship Site, 1 Grove Place, Pittsburgh, PA with burial to follow at Lebanon Church Cemetery in West Mifflin.
In lieu of flowers the family respectfully suggests memorial contributions may be made to WeCare Nursing & Rehabilitation, 1445 Sycamore Rd., Montoursville, PA 17754 for the benefit of their activities.
Online condolences may be left at www.jeffersonmemorial.com
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