Carol J. Hollenbaugh

Carol Jean (Poydence) Hollenbaugh of Washington Township left this earth to join her heavenly family on Friday, September 5, 2025.
Born in Natrona Heights, PA on March 7, 1948, she was the daughter of the late Frank Poydence and Julia (Jakubek) Poydence. She was a 1966 graduate of the former Apollo High School. Over the years, she worked many different jobs. In junior high, she was an errand girl for a local CPA. Throughout high school, she was employed at the former Giannetto's Market. After high school, she was the switchboard operator and payroll clerk at People's Gas Co. She left that job after four years to take time off to raise her three sons. When she resumed her employment, she worked in the jewelry department at J. C. Penney. In 1985, she began her banking career at the former First Seneca Bank, which became Integra Bank, National City Bank, and eventually, PNC Bank. Carol retired in 2013 after working there for 27 years.
Being the eldest of 14 children, Carol was more than prepared to become a wife and homemaker when she married the love of her life, John, on September 19, 1970.
She was a member of the former Holy Trinity Church that merged with two other churches to form Our Lady Queen of Peace in East Vandergrift, where she was the religious education coordinator as well as the fifth and sixth grade faith formation teacher for 37 years. She was a long-time member of the choir, the Confraternity of Christian Mothers, and the Pastoral Council. She also volunteered as the fundraiser chairman for the annual PTG Drive at St. Gertrude's Catholic School. She was a den mother and committee chairman for Cub Scout Pack 546 and Little Aid, all in Vandergrift, and a member of the Apollo Jr. Women's Club.
She enjoyed working on crossword puzzles, reading mystery novels, and dancing, especially with her husband. She and her husband enjoyed traveling throughout the years, citing their trip to Europe and Rome as the highlight of their travels, but their most enjoyable trips were to Georgia to spend time with their sons and grandchildren.
In addition to her parents, Carol was preceded in death by her brothers, Michael and Thomas Poydence, and her sisters, Linda Poydence and Kathleen (Poydence) Briggs.
Carol is survived by her loving husband of 55 years, John Hollenbaugh; her three sons, Brian Hollenbaugh of Apollo, John F. Hollenbaugh of Roswell, GA and Eric (Amber) Hollenbaugh of Marietta, GA; seven grandchildren, Zachary, Sienna, John T., Atticus, Abigail, Stella, and Scarlett; two step-grandsons, Brandon and Nicolas, all of Georgia; seven brothers, Ernest "E.J." (Joy) Poydence of Latrobe, Stephen Poydence of Hyde Park Road, Edward Poydence of Apollo, Jerome Poydence of Vandergrift, William Poydence of Alexandria, VA, Ronald Poydence of Apollo, and Gregory (Melonie) Poydence of Gilpin Township; and two sisters, Sandra Poydence of Falls Church, VA and Deborah (Mark) Greenawalt of Apollo.
Family and friends will be received on Wednesday, September 10, 2025 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 p.m. in the Curran-Shaffer Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc., 100 Owens View Ave., Apollo. Additional viewing will be held in the funeral home on Thursday, September 11, 2025 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Parting prayers of transfer will be held in the funeral home on Friday, September 12, 2025 at 9:30 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church, 420 McKinley Ave., East Vandergrift, at 10:00 a.m. with Father John Euker as celebrant. Private interment in St. Catherine Cemetery, Gilpin Township.