Audrey Balawajder

Audrey N. Balawajder, 91, formerly a 60-year resident of West Mifflin, passed away peacefully at UPMC Williamsport Hospital on Jan. 20, 2025, and most recently was a resident at WeCare Nursing and Rehabilitation in Montoursville. She was born in Duquesne, on Sept. 13, 1933, a daughter of Paul and Anna (Syrek) Neslanik and Martha Neslanik. She was a 1951 graduate of Duquesne High School, where she remained very active with her high school class reunion committee and went on to graduate from Douglas Business College. Audrey retired after 31 years at Bettis Atomic Power Laboratory in West Mifflin. She had been a longtime member of the former Holy Spirit Catholic Church and very active in the church's Rosary Chain and Golden Agers. She was a founding member of the Star Bowling League in West Mifflin and was an active card player. She loved playing cards with her neighbor, Dorothy, and all of her friends on Spring Valley Road. Audrey was most proud of her Polish heritage; she was a member of the Polish Cultural Council in Pittsburgh as well as attending the Polka Festival at 7Springs Resort for over 40 years. Audrey and her husband, Joseph S. Balawajder, were married on July 10, 1954, they celebrated 58 years of marriage prior to his death in 2012. Surviving are her sons, Gregg (Christine) Balawajder of Montoursville and their son, Joseph, and daughter, Aly (Kurt) Wertz and retired Lt. Col. Todd (Clare) Balawajder of Williamsburg, VA, and their son, Andrew; and siblings, Laura Gontkon (deceased), Roberta (Fred) May of Redmond, WA, Hedy (Dr. Warren) Howe of Cranberry, PA, and Paul (Dolores) Neslanik, of Greenville, PA. Family and friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m., on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, at JEFFERSON MEMORIAL FUNERAL HOME, 301 Curry Hollow Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15236. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10 a.m., on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, at Triumph of the Holy Cross Parish, St. Elizabeth of Hungary Worship Site, 1 Grove Place, Pittsburgh, PA, with burial to follow at Lebanon Church Cemetery in West Mifflin. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully suggests memorial contributions may be made to WeCare Nursing & Rehabilitation, 1445 Sycamore Road, Montoursville, PA 17754, for the benefit of their activities. online condolences may be left at www.jeffersonmemorial.com.