Emma Marie (Scanga) Pastorek

Erminia (Emma) Marie Pastorek, 92, of Natrona Heights, passed away, Wednesday, March 2, 2016. Beloved wife of 66 years of John V. Pastorek. Emma was born October 16, 1923, the sixth of eleven children, she was the daughter of first generation Americans, Frank and Eleanor Maglisco Scanga. Upon graduation from New Kensington High School, Emma attended the Citizens General Hospital School of Nursing where she graduated as a registered nurse in 1943. She immediately began a career as an RN that spanned five decades, including serving as a nursing supervisor and Director of Staff Development at Allegheny Valley Hospital. Emma was known for her compassionate care and relentless advocacy for her patients, her family, friends and neighbors. After retirement she continued to tirelessly help others in many ways, including preparing and delivering home cooked meals to shut-ins, providing financial assistance to the poor, visiting and caring for the sick, and praying for those in need. She enjoyed golfing, reading, playing cards, solving crossword puzzles, traveling, volunteering with the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church Ladies Guild and the Friends of the Community Library of Allegheny Valley, baking and cooking Italian and Slovak dishes, but above all, she enjoyed spending time with family. She is remembered by her children for many things, including her 'mandatory' Sunday afternoon dinners and holiday feasts. She is remembered by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren for telling unlimited versions of stories involving Little Dog Terpy and the Hobyahs, never forgetting birthdays and special occasions, and always being at plays, sporting events and other activities. She is remembered by her friends and relatives as someone whom could always be counted on. And she is remembered by her husband as a lifelong companion who shared the ups and downs of life with faith, hope and joy. Emma is survived by her husband, John V. Pastorek; daughters, Joan (Robert) Pilat, of Butler and Janett (Andrew) McConville, of Tarentum; son, John D. (Diane) Pastorek, of Valencia; nine grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and by her siblings, Carl (Mary Lynn) Scanga, of Fawn Township, Robert (Betty) Scanga, of Hackettstown, NJ, Evelyn (John) Atchison, of Woodbridge, VA and Ted (Teresa) Scanga, of Lower Burrell. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her siblings, Rose Scanga, Richard Scanga, Amelia Debold, Jean Venturella, Gilda Kuchta and Ben Scanga.
Friends will be received on Saturday from 6-8 PM and on Sunday from 2-4, 6-8 PM in the Cicholski-Zidek Funeral Home, Inc., 1522 Carlisle St., Natrona Heights 724-224-8688, where a blessing service will be held on Monday at 9:30 AM. Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10 AM in Most Blessed Sacrament Church with her pastor the Rev. James Mazurek as celebrant. Burial will be in Mt. Airy Cemetery, Natrona Heights. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Emma may be made to the Alle-Kiski Health Foundation, One Acee Drive, Natrona Heights, Pa. 15065. To send an on line condolence please visit www.cicholski-zidekfuneralhome.com.