Wilma Jean Risbin Yuhas

Our Mother always said," The two best gifts parents can give their children are a good example and a good education." It is with a heavy heart that we share the news of the passing of our beautiful and loving Mother, Wilma Jean Risbin Yuhas at the age of 98. Wilma Jean, Mom, Mimi, Grandma passed away peacefully in her home on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, with her family at her side. Wilma Jean was born a daughter of the late Michael and Frances Ottena Risbin, May 2, 1927, in Harwick, Pa. Shortly after, her family moved to the small coal mining town of Marianna, Pa., where she grew up. As an infant, Wilma Jean was stricken with polio. Her Mother, Frances, traveled to Old St. Patrick's Parish, located in the Strip District of Pittsburgh, for nine consecutive weeks to make a Novena, praying for a miracle. With deep faith, the family prayers were answered. Their baby girl recovered from polio with only a paralysis in her right arm from the shoulder to the elbow. Wilma Jean exuded a special kindness and thoughtfulness to every person that crossed her path. Her deepest passion was her family and she demonstrated that with all the love, time, attention, and respect with which she showered on each one of them. Her quiet demeanor and gracious ways provided a guiding light and outstretched hand that offered a special level of support and encouragement. It was in her subtle ways of living that taught others to find value in themselves, in family and in others. Although her formal education ended in 1945 with graduation from West Bethlehem High School, she continued learning all her life. Being an avid reader, she was also an accomplished seamstress. Her vegetable and herb gardens and potted flowers and flower beds boasted that of a skilled master gardener. She had a passion for canning and freezing the vegetables from her garden. We still laugh today that as youngsters, her grandchildren could not eat Green Giant corn or Smucker's jellies. She was an excellent cook and baker preparing award winning pies, cakes, and cookies. She loved being in the kitchen preparing meals as if every day was a holiday. She took such pride in being an excellent homemaker and an attentive, loving Mother. Our Mom was a devout Catholic, being a life-long member of Sts. Mary and Ann Roman Catholic Church, now known as St. Katherine Drexel Parish. She was an active member of the Altar Society, serving as chairman for many of its' fund-raising functions. One of her greatest joys was being part of a small group of women known as the "Pierogi Ladies". They made hundreds of dozens of pierogies and sold them during the Lenten season. This same group of women made and served breakfast to all who attended Tuesday morning Mass, usually 20 to 25 people. She loved working for the church and the fellowship that came with being part her spiritual community. She was also co-sacristan, preparing the altars and church for special Feasts and holidays throughout the year. She shared her faith, love, and devotion to God in her everyday life. On June 14, 1947, she married Joseph Yuhas, who passed away in April,1993. They celebrated 45 and a half years of marriage. For the past 20 years, she made her home with her daughter, Carol and son-in-law, Bill Brandtonies. She raised two successful children, Carol Yuhas (Bill) Brandtonies of Marianna and Joseph (Karen) Yuhas of Uniontown. She enjoyed six grandchildren, Jennifer DeNunzio of Peters Township, Michael Brandtonies of Mechanicsburg, Jill Brandtonies, of Canonsburg, Joseph (Claire) Yuhas, of The Woodlands, Texas, Dr. Nicholas (Lauren) Yuhas of Morgantown, W. Va., and Amy Yuhas of Pittsburgh and six great-grandchildren Emily, Dominic, and Philip DeNunzio, Tyler and Bailey Brandtonies and Jackson Smith. Surviving are her brother, Tommy Risbin, nieces Frances Appel, Kimberly (Dave) Pinkney, and Kathleen (Dr. Bill) Birsic and a paternal aunt, Rita Risbin Renner, who recently celebrated her 102nd birthday. Wilma Jean is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, a daughter Ann, who died at birth, her sisters and best friends, Beatrice Yonosik and Geneva Iddings, a great niece Sarah Birsic and two nephews, Eugene Iddings and Tommy Risbin, Jr. Our amazing and wonderful Mother will always be remembered for her beauty, kindness, strength, and goodness. She will be greatly missed by her family and many dear friends. Mom, we want to thank you for your unwavering love, support, and all that you have sacrificed and done for us. Thank you for the two best gifts you gave us, we have passed those gifts to our children and grandchildren. We will miss you dearly. We love you more than you can imagine. Mom, you were the best example. There will be a greeting of family and friends from 2 to 8 p.m., Friday, November 21, 2025, at the John B. Greenlee Funeral Home Ltd., 2830 Main St. Beallsville, Pa. A prayer service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, November 22, 2025 at the funeral home followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. at St. Katharine Drexel Church, Richeyville, Pa. with the Rev. Edward Yuhas, celebrant. Interment will be followed in Marianna Catholic Cemetery, Marianna, Pa. Wilma Jean Yuhas' family would like to extend a sincere thank you to those who cared for her through Concordia Hospice. Their care, support and love got us through a very difficult time. In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation be made to the Marianna Public Library, 247 Jefferson Avenue, Suite 1, Marianna, Pa. 15345. Online guestbook is available at www.GreenleeFuneralHome.com.