IRENE "RENIE" POPPICK

POPPICK
IRENE "RENIE"
Of Murrysville, formerly of Turtle Creek, passed away on May 25, 2016, at Golden LivingCenter of Murrysville. Born July 25, 1927, in Jermyn, PA, daughter of the late John Poppick and Mary Suvak Poppick Dublik. Her father, an immigrant coal miner, died of tuberculosis at the age of 39 in 1931 and was buried in Jermyn, PA. Her mother contracted tuberculosis and was admitted to the Trudeau Sanitarium at Saranac Lake, where she not only recovered but witnessed the 1936 Olympics. At the age of four, Irene was sitting on a wall with some playmates when she was pushed off by a neighbor who did not want them there. It would take several years to discover that she had dislocated her hip. She was cared for first by her mother's relatives and then by the Scranton West Side Hospital for three years, though the medical technology of the day was unable to correct the injury. Her case attracted attention, and she became known in the Scranton Republican and in The Scrantonian as "Little Irene." The many Christmas toys donated by strangers to her at the time were distributed equally among the hospitalized children. After leaving the hospital she attended school in Jermyn for three years before joining her mother, sisters, and brothers who were living in Linhart (Wilkins Township), PA. She graduated from Turtle Creek High School in 1947 and then worked in Gordon's Drug store and the Frederick Theater in East Pittsburgh. In 1952 she began work as a secretary at the Westinghouse plant in East Pittsburgh, retiring in 1987. In her later years the multiple joint replacements she underwent did not deter her from extensive travel with her family and with her significant other, the late Robert Plance of Murrysville. Her positive and cheerful personality, despite her troublesome and painful physical condition, were an inspiration to her family and all who knew her. Preceded in death by her mother; her sister, Eleanor Anderson of Sacramento, CA; and her brothers, Andrew of Fresno, CA, and John of Irwin, PA, both combat veterans of WWII. Aunt of David Anderson of Butler, PA, Paula (Tom) Poppick Steiner of Irwin, Daniel (Sandi) Anderson of New Jersey, Dale (Cindy) Anderson of Rocklin, CA, Timothy Poppick of Irwin, Jennifer Jill Anderson of Massachusetts, and Nancy Anderson Bevilacqua of Lower Burrell; great-aunt of Melissa (Sean) Anderson Salsgiver of Glen Campbell, PA, Daniel (Madeline) Anderson of Gibsonia, PA, Taylor Arsenault of Massachusetts, Kyle Anderson of Portland, Dominic and Eric Bevilacqua of Lower Burrell, and Lauren Steiner of Irwin; great-great-aunt of Gwendolyn Marie Anderson of Gibsonia. Private family burial Wednesday in Restland Memorial. A Memorial Visitation and service will be held June 10, 2016, Noon - 2 p.m. followed by a service at the JOBE FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY INC. (MONROEVILLE / PLUM), corner of (445) Beatty Rd. and 48 North, Monroeville, (412-856-4747).
www.jobefuneralhome.com