1924
Sara
2014
Sara Gradisek
February 27, 1924 — August 20, 2014
Sara M. Gradisek passed away peacefully on August 20, 2014 at Charlestown Retirement Community, Catonsville, Maryland. Perhaps it was more than coincidence that August 20 was also her wedding anniversary to Louis J. Gradisek (deceased), whom she married in 1955 and with whom she shared 36 wonderful years.
Sara was born in Jeannette, Pennsylvania on February 27, 1924. After graduating from Duquesne University, she pursued a nursing career, serving as a nurse and hospital administrator in various locations. A lifelong educator, she taught nursing courses in Windber, PA and at the University of Pittsburgh. Shifting gears, she taught fifth grade students at H.W. Good Elementary School in Herminie, PA, for 20 years, influencing the lives and enriching the minds of hundreds of students. Forever the overachiever, her service to the students went beyond the formal classroom, as she produced musicals and organized international festivals and a variety of other activities to broaden horizons and expand knowledge.
After retirement, Sara devoted herself to volunteer service at the Blessed Sacrament Cathedral Church in Greensburg, PA, taking care of her grandchildren, playing bridge, and solving crossword puzzles. True to her western Pennsylvania roots, she could wave the terrible towel and shout "Go Bucs!" with the best of them. She especially enjoyed travel to Hawaii and fully embraced the culture there.
Sara is survived by daughter Mary Lou Gradisek, daughter Karla Castner and son-in-law John Castner, and son Lou Gradisek, Jr. and daughter-in-law Mary Jane Gradisek; seven grandchildren, Daniel, Rebecca, Jonathan, Katrina, Chad, Grant, and Abbey. She also leaves behind her sister and best friend, Margaret Steck, and many beloved nieces and nephews. In many, many ways Sara was one in a million, strikingly beautiful inside and out and deeply courageous. These traits, together with her energy, warmth, spirituality and joie de vivre pervaded every aspect of her life.
Friends will be received at Kepple-Graft Funeral Home, 524 Main Street, Greensburg on Sunday from 6-8 PM. Prayers of transfer will be recited, Monday at 9 AM followed by a funeral mass at 9:30 AM in Blessed Sacrament Cathedral, Greensburg. Entombment will follow in Greensburg Catholic Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Senator John Heinz History Center
http://www.heinzhistorycenter.org/secondary.aspx?id=145
Viewing Sunday 6-8 pm
Sara was born in Jeannette, Pennsylvania on February 27, 1924. After graduating from Duquesne University, she pursued a nursing career, serving as a nurse and hospital administrator in various locations. A lifelong educator, she taught nursing courses in Windber, PA and at the University of Pittsburgh. Shifting gears, she taught fifth grade students at H.W. Good Elementary School in Herminie, PA, for 20 years, influencing the lives and enriching the minds of hundreds of students. Forever the overachiever, her service to the students went beyond the formal classroom, as she produced musicals and organized international festivals and a variety of other activities to broaden horizons and expand knowledge.
After retirement, Sara devoted herself to volunteer service at the Blessed Sacrament Cathedral Church in Greensburg, PA, taking care of her grandchildren, playing bridge, and solving crossword puzzles. True to her western Pennsylvania roots, she could wave the terrible towel and shout "Go Bucs!" with the best of them. She especially enjoyed travel to Hawaii and fully embraced the culture there.
Sara is survived by daughter Mary Lou Gradisek, daughter Karla Castner and son-in-law John Castner, and son Lou Gradisek, Jr. and daughter-in-law Mary Jane Gradisek; seven grandchildren, Daniel, Rebecca, Jonathan, Katrina, Chad, Grant, and Abbey. She also leaves behind her sister and best friend, Margaret Steck, and many beloved nieces and nephews. In many, many ways Sara was one in a million, strikingly beautiful inside and out and deeply courageous. These traits, together with her energy, warmth, spirituality and joie de vivre pervaded every aspect of her life.
Friends will be received at Kepple-Graft Funeral Home, 524 Main Street, Greensburg on Sunday from 6-8 PM. Prayers of transfer will be recited, Monday at 9 AM followed by a funeral mass at 9:30 AM in Blessed Sacrament Cathedral, Greensburg. Entombment will follow in Greensburg Catholic Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Senator John Heinz History Center
http://www.heinzhistorycenter.org/secondary.aspx?id=145
Viewing Sunday 6-8 pm
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