Mary (Pedon) Mielecki, 93, of New Kensington, surrounded by prayer and her three children, passed away peacefully at Concordia Lutheran Ministries at Cabot on Thursday, May 17, 2018. Mary led a life filled with faith, love, family and friendship. Since childhood, she lived in three residences on the same street in New Kensington where family gatherings and neighborhood chats took place daily.
After graduating from New Kensington High School, she worked at Alcoa. She married her dedicated and loving husband in 1953, Joseph Mielecki, who passed away in 2011. Family was everything to both of them.
She was born on May 6, 1925, in Pittsburgh. She was the daughter of the late Louise (Brusco) and Enrico Spano. Her three brothers, Louis, Henry and David Spana, preceded her in death.
She was also preceded by her infant twin sister and infant daughter, Christy Sue Mielecki. She was a member of Mount St. Peter Church, the Addolorata Society, and the Columbiana Ladies Lodge. She enjoyed watching Pittsburgh and Penn State sports.
She discovered art classes in the nineties, and continued painting at Concordia until a few weeks ago. In addition to working at Alcoa, Mary worked at Montgomery Ward in Lower Burrell. However, her favorite “job” was babysitting her grandchildren.
Never really considered a job – but a joy – time spent with her grandchildren included homework help, playing school, attending basketball games, recitals and musicals, or watching “Star Search”. More often than not, it also included doughnuts or chicken fingers. Her children and grandchildren were lucky to learn the lesson of love your family unconditionally and with your whole heart.
She also gave the cherished gift of her faith to her family. This legacy will certainly continue to be passed on by her grandchildren to her great-grandchildren. Mary is survived by her children, Joseph (wife, Kathleen) Mielecki, Mary Lou (husband, Joseph) Grotzinger and Kathleen (husband, Roger) Hetu.
She is also survived by six grandchildren, Lindsay (Keenan) McGaughey, Shannon (Andrew) Catauro, Christopher (Kassie) Mielecki, Jacob (Gail) Hetu, Natalie Hetu and Julie Hetu; and her five great-grandchildren, Liliana, Kellan and Cecilia McGaughey, and Matteo and Rosemary Catauro. She is also survived by a brother, Joseph (Sarah) Spana and two sisters, Jeanette “Gina” Spana and Anna Boyd, and her lifelong friend, Mary Noel. Most recently, she resided at Concordia Lutheran Ministries in Cabot.
Her family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to the staff of Concordia for their care and compassion. Not only were they her caregivers, they became her dear friends. Their unending desire to keep her engaged, comfortable and laughing will always be appreciated and remembered.
Friends will be received from 2 to 4 pm and 7 to 9 pm on Sunday, in the Giunta-Bertucci Funeral Home, Inc., 1509 5th Ave, Arnold, PA. Prayers of transfer will take place at 12 noon on Monday in the Funeral Home, followed by a Funeral Mass at 12:30 pm at Mount St. Peter Church, New Kensington, PA. Burial will follow in Union Cemetery, Arnold.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Concordia Lutheran Ministries (Skilled Nursing Activities Department), 134 Marwood Road, Cabot, PA 16023. To leave an online condolence visit www.
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