Anne Marie Birchok

Age 76, of Pittsburgh, peacefully passed away on Sunday, December 26, 2021. She was the daughter of the late Ronald "Red" Crookshank and Martha (Hauk), and the wife of 46 years to the late Daniel Birchok. Anne Marie is survived by her three children, Daniel (Lori Roddy) Birchok, Jr., Annie (Matt) Mulig and Jonathan (Julie) Birchok; nine grandchildren; and sister, Tina Crookshank. Anne Marie grew up in Altoona, near the home of her maternal grandparents, at whose house she would frequently eat lunch during the school day. After high school she joined the Sisters of Charity, Greensburg, and taught music at various Pittsburgh area Catholic schools, including St. Margaret's in Greentree and St. Phillip's in Crafton. Shortly after leaving the convent, she met Daniel at Pitt Stadium, where they both worked. They were set up for a blind date but met and began to fall for each other before that date occurred. They married in 1973, and then moved to Cecil Township when their eldest child was on the way in 1977. After her third child was born, Anne Marie returned to teaching, now in special education. She began by working with the Allegheny Intermediate Unit, and then in various school districts, before settling in South Fayette, where she taught at the high school for over 15 years before retiring in the mid-2000s. In 1999 she was a finalist for The Teacher Excellence Award. Upon retirement she devoted herself to a range of activities, including travel, participating and leading Marriage Encounter weekends with her husband Daniel, crocheting and other crafts, and spending time with her grandchildren. She regularly attended the latter's sporting events and concerts, both in the Pittsburgh area and in southeast Michigan. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Special Olympics in Anne Marie's memory. Funeral arranged by BEINHAUER-FRYER, 430 Washington Road, Bridgeville 15017, (412) 221-3800. Visitation will be held Monday, January 3, 2021, 6-8 p.m. Funeral Mass will take place Tuesday, January 4, 2021, 10:30 a.m., in St. Raphael the Archangel Parish, SS. Simon and Jude Church, 1607 Greentree Road 15220. The wishes of the family are that masks are required for all attending the visitation and funeral. Burial at the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies, Bridgeville, at 1 p.m. Please view and add tributes at www.beinhauer.com.