Lois A. Breauninger

1927 - 2018

Lois Ann (Weslager) Breauninger, (Luke 18:16), 91, of Greensburg, born May 31, 1927, went to be with our LORD, JESUS CHRIST, on Monday, Oct. 15, 2018. She departed for her eternal heavenly home from Westmoreland Manor, her wonderful home on earth for the past two years. This woman, Lois Ann Breauninger, called "Mommy", "Grandmaw Lois" or "Mrs. B", was so loved and endeared by many that her memory will live on in all of our hearts until we are all joined together in Paradise! We are so blessed because we almost lost Lois Ann five years ago in Texas, but GOD gave us some additional time to spend together on this earth. Lois Ann was born in Pittsburgh, the only child of the late Edward and Margaret Weslager. She had resided in Missouri City, Texas; Bethel Park; and Pittsburgh neighborhoods Brookline and Beltzhoover. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her high school sweetheart and husband of 35 years, Clayton Breauninger, and her beloved 62-year-old daughter-in-law, Andrea Rosen, from Houston, Texas. Lois Ann was a proud member of the United States Cadet Nurse Corps, a registered nurse trained for World War II at Montefiore Hospital in Pittsburgh. After being an RN for several years, she decided to be a full-time homemaker and devote herself to raising her three daughters. Lois Ann was an extremely loving mother and is survived by her three daughters: Marlene (Breauninger) Cefalo (Joseph), of Greensburg; Dr. Lorraine A. (Breauninger) Allen, of Greensburg, formerly of Missouri City, Texas; and Vivian Breauninger, of Houston, Texas. She is also survived by her three remarkable adult grandchildren: David Rosen, of Houston, Texas; Lucinda (Cefalo) Gabriel (Christopher), of Humble, Texas; and Marsha Breauninger-Bustamante (Francisco), of Houston, Texas. Lois Ann was a delightful, whimsical person who always strived to enrich her children's lives with bi-monthly 4-mile, round-trip hikes to the nearest public library, the Knoxville branch of the Pittsburgh Carnegie Library System. These jaunts would always include a picnic in McKinley Park, but most importantly, she instilled in her children a love for reading. Lois Ann read aloud to her children from the classics every night; besides "Little Women," "Treasure Island," etc., she also read and explained books such as "Pilgrim's Progress." Lois Ann also took advantage of all of the free cultural activities Pittsburgh used to offer: free Saturdays at the Museums, free symphonies, etc. Lois Ann and her children, known as the "Bs," became the original fan club of the "Children's Corner" at WQED-TV, later to be known as "Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood." Lois Ann was the yearly Homeroom Mother for Marlene's exceptional education class at Whittier Elementary School in Mt. Washington, and she was also extremely active in their PTA, promoting excellent education for the exceptional population. Lois Ann started a Girl Scout troop in Brookline and she was an enthusiastic, much-loved leader. Lois Ann also assisted with numerous Sunday School activities: making costumes for pageants, booths for fairs and overall helping the youth choir. As Lois Ann continually championed for the rights of exceptional individuals, she was instrumental in 1967 in obtaining the first graduation reception at South Hills High School for the graduating Exceptional Education Students. Previously, because they did not earn Carnegie units, they were excluded from all of the graduation activities. Lois Ann sent letters to the superintendent of Pittsburgh Public Schools, all of the School Board members, all of the principals at South Hills High, all of the South Hills High counselors and all of the South Hills High special education teachers. She made sure to cc each letter so that everyone knew all of the people contacted. She stated that these students were entitled to be recognized and honored. Due to Lois Ann's dauntless efforts, the first graduation reception for graduating exceptional education students and their parents was held in the library with the students receiving certificates of attendance, corsages/boutonnieres, cake and punch. They still could not get a class ring or attend the prom, but they had a dance during the day in one of the special education classrooms. Lois Ann said it was a right that finally needed to be addressed, and if her letters had not been effective, she was going to go to the next level and take it to the press and media. Lois Ann did not fight this fight just for her own teenage daughter, but for all of the exceptional students throughout the district. Like Lois Ann used to say, you can sit back and complain, or you can become active in making the change happen! Lois Ann was a marvelous grandmother, raising her granddaughter, Lucinda, from 3 months to 12 years while simultaneously residing with and being the caregiver for her shut-in, invalid mother in Bethel Park on Logan Road. Upon her mother's passing, Lois Ann and Lucinda both relocated to Missouri City, Texas, to reside with her daughter Lorraine, but Lois Ann still played a major role in raising Lucinda until she wed at 26 and left home. Lois Ann was a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church on Harvey Avenue in Greensburg, and the family greatly appreciated the prayers from the members and the devotion and spiritual care provided by the honorable Rev. Donna Havrisko. While at Westmoreland Manor, Lois Ann attended church in the beautiful chapel officiated by the honorable Rev. Robert Ross from Heritage Baptist Church in Jeannette, and the family also appreciated his spiritual guidance, wrapping each resident in the warmth of JESUS' love. The family wants to especially thank everyone at Westmoreland Manor for the outstanding care Lois Ann received. The staff is definitely knowledgeable and professional, but it is the dedication and empathy of EVERYONE who works there that is so amazing! Compassion is a key trait of EVERY EMPLOYEE; thank you from the bottom of our hearts! Forty years ago, Lois Ann decided to make her life be a legacy to the next generation by donating her body (gift registry as a uniform donor, 215-922-4440) to the University of Pittsburgh Medical School to assist in the training of future doctors. Lois Ann knew, without a doubt, that her spirit would immediately be with JESUS when she took her final breath and that the remaining shell could be utilized as an invaluable teaching tool. Even to the very end, Lois Ann was selflessly thinking of others. Lois Ann embodied the love of the SAVIOR her entire life, even unto her final breath.
Lois Ann requested that there be no memorial service; just remember that she is happy in heaven with our SAVIOR, JESUS!
In remembrance of Lois Ann, memorial contributions may be made to the Activities Department of Westmoreland Manor, 2480 S. Grande Blvd., Greensburg, PA 15601.