Barbara Katherine Lazzara's Obituary
Barbara Katherine (Bielak) Lazzara
Age 77, of Pleasant Hills, PA (formerly of Chicago IL) passed away peacefully at her home, on March 30, 2020.
Beloved wife of 54 years to Charles Phillip Lazzara. Loving mother of Deborah (Mark) Field, Noxen PA, and David (Tina) Lazzara of New Kensington PA. Cherished grandmother of Jason and Scott Field, Antionette VanKirk.Treasured sister of Kathleen (George) Peña, Uvalde, TX. Dear daughter of the late Stanley and Dorothy Bielak. Loving Sister-in-Law of Lydia and Joseph Selbka, Phillip and Patti Lazzara, and Jack Lazzara. Caring Aunt of many nieces and nephews, and devoted to her several cousins.
Barbara was born in Chicago, IL on April 5, 1942. She attended Saint Alexis Grade School and Fenton High School in Bensenville IL. She went on to college at Northern Illinois University, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Education and met her future husband, Charles Lazzara. She was a special education teacher for several years at Elgin State Hospital IL prior to starting a family. In 1971 she moved with her husband and daughter to Pittsburgh, PA.
Barbara was dedicated to her family, her church and her community. From a young age she was involved in the Bensenville, IL VFW and participated in the Tioga Auxilliary Girl Scouts Drill Team. She was a good swimmer and swam on a synchronized swim team. She was also an excellent skater and spent many happy hours at the roller rink and ice rink. She was a Girl Scout in Troop 81, Bensenville. She continued working with the Girl Scouts through the years, first as the Leader of her daughter’s Brownie Troop, working her way up until she was Secretary of the Board for South-Western PA. She was also very involved in her church, Saint Elizabeth of Hungary. She sang for many years in the Wisdom Folk Choir, helped decorate the church for the changing seasons, and was a member of the Senior Citizens group. She was an avid reader and frequent visitor to the local library, where she displayed her collections of fans and teapots. Barbara bowled on a Ladies Bowling League for many years and was a top bowler, earning a number of trophies. She was also great at sewing, like her mother and grandmother before her. In addition to sewing beautiful clothes and costumes for herself and her family, she also sewed items for the church, and for her daughter’s Junior Tamburitzan and International Dance groups. She was able to take several wonderful trips with her husband, and loved spending time with her family and friends.
Visitation will be held on Thursday April 2, 2020 from 2 PM-4 PM, for family members only, at the JEFFERSON MEMORIAL FUNERAL HOME, INC., 301 Curry Hollow Road, Pittsburgh, 15236.
Because of restrictions due to the corona virus outbreak, a public viewing and Funeral Mass will not be held at this time, but a memorial service and Mass will be scheduled when friends and family can safely travel and gather.
A private burial will take place at Orcutt’s Grove Cemetery in Noxen, PA.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church, 1 Grove Place #4 Pittsburgh PA 15236 or Gate of Heaven Church, 40 Machell Ave. Dallas PA 18612. Online Condolence at www.jeffersonmemorial.biz
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