Elizabeth A. Yanni

1919 - 01

Elizabeth Ann (Prohaska) Yanni, 93, of Springdale, passed away peacefully Friday, Dec. 28, 2012. She was born Jan. 4, 1919, in Springdale, and graduated from Springdale High School in 1937. Liz married her high school sweetheart, Salvatore "Jim" Yanni, July 28, 1939. They were married for 47 years until his death in 1986. Liz is survived by their sons, James (Geraldine, deceased), of Pittsburgh, and Jack (Isabelle), of Palmyra; and their children and grandchildren, Mark (Robin) and Matthew (Tara), of Pittsburgh, sons of James, and Gina Brelsford (Matthew), of Harrisburg, daughter of Jack. Great-grandchildren are Katherine, Ella and Jacob, children of Matthew and Tara Yanni, and Elise and Camille, daughters of Gina and Matthew Brelsford. She was preceded in death by her parents, Hilda Gustafson Mooney Prohaska and Edward Prohaska; and siblings, Richard, Julia and Charles Mooney and Virginia (Bombik), Dolores (Smith) and Edward Prohaska. Liz is survived by one sister, Theresa Prohaska (Sister Hilda); and numerous nephews and nieces. Liz's entire life was filled was work, family, church and volunteering. At the young age of 10, Elizabeth worked in her grandmother's business the Power City Restaurant, waiting on tables. Her goal after graduating from high school was to go on to nursing school. However, the depression required her to go work in Winchelle's five and dime store. When marriage and children followed she purchased two professional sewing machines and became the leading seamstress for Altmeyers Fabrics in the sewing of customized draperies. Additionally, she used her sewing skills by designing and sewing the first Springdale High School Dynamos mascot, Reddy Kilowatt, while also serving as the president of Springdale Dynamo Football Booster's Club. Elizabeth dedicated many hours to the St. Alphonsus Catholic church in Springdale as a member of the Parish Council, the Resurrection Choir, Eucharistic Minister, Ladies of Charity and the Treasurer and Membership Chairman for the Catholic Daughters of America. For more than 20 years, Liz devoted more than 8,000 hours as a "Pink Lady" from the Ladies Auxiliary of VFW Post 1437 in Springdale. As a member of the Ladies Auxiliary she had served as the secretary and coordinated the VFW Buddy Poppy sales that benefitted the disabled veterans. For her work as a volunteer she received a Pennsylvania House of Representatives citation in 2006 "for her exemplary citizenship and working with the community", a President's Council on Service and Civic Participation from the Veteran's Association in 2006, and a Distinguished Service Award from the Lion's Club in 1994. In 1994, the Cheswick-Springdale Lion's Club, formally named their Community Service Award to be the Elizabeth Prohaska Yanni Community Service Award in honor of her many years of service to veteran's activities and the Veterans Hospital in Aspinwall. Elizabeth was an amazing cook and craftswoman. Her family and friends looked forward to homemade Easter Eggs each year. Delicious fudge and crispy Italian pizzelle cookies were always on hand as gifts. Liz also excelled in the art of ceramics using her in-house kiln to make ceramic Christmas trees, nativity sets and numerous other ceramic objects. In addition, she loved to crochet and knit. The family will hold a private interment Thursday, Jan. 3, 2013, at the Greenwood Memorial Park, with a memorial Mass to be held at a later date at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church and also at the Sisters of Divine Providence Mother House in Allison Park, where her sister, Sister Hilda, is a member. Arrangements under the care of THE CHARLES B. JARVIE FUNERAL HOME INC. Springdale/ Cheswick. Visit us at http://www.jarviefuneralhome.com. Donations in Elizabeth's memory can be made to support the Elizabeth Prohaska Yanni Community Service Award at the Cheswick- Springdale Lions Club by mailing a check to the Cheswick -Springdale Lion's Club at: Cheswick- Springdale Lions Club, P.O. Box 164, Springdale, PA. 15144.