Wanda C. Pawlowski

Wanda Pawlowski, age 99, passed away August 19, 2025 at Garvey Manor in Hollidaysburg.  In her last moments, she was with two of her many beloved nieces Christina Canning and Suzanna Stossel.  Born in Barnesboro (now Northern Cambria) on Jan. 21,1926, the second child and only daughter of Blair and Emilia Pawlowski.  Preceded in death by parents and brothers Reginald, Edwin, and Marion. Survived by brother Blair of Ebensburg and sister-in-law Rosemary of Johnstown, and nephews and nieces: Suzanna (Robert) Stossel; Michael (Wilma) Pawlowski; Sally (Rob) Pawlowski; Daniel (Darlene) Pawlowski; Ronald (Alison) Pawlowski; Randall (Brenda) Pawlowski; Mimi (Homyar) Choksi; Christina (Jerry) Canning; Heidi (Matt) Carey; Juliet (T.J.) Parlette; Emilia (Mauro) Pasquetti; Lucia (Todd) Pawlowski; and Thaddeus (Kelly) Pawlowski; and many grandnieces and grandnephews.  Wanda welcomed them all into her loving home on Julian Street in Ebensburg, where classical music rang out from the stereo and the scent of kielbasa and sauerkraut wafted from the kitchen.  Wanda lived to serve others, always putting her family and friends first. Her love of art and music propelled her into a career as an art educator.  She studied at IUP and then earned a Master’s degree in art from Temple University.  For many years she taught art to kindergarten, grade school and high school students in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh area schools.  She adored her nieces and nephews, hosting many holiday and birthday parties, designing intricately decorated cakes and colorful hand-drawn, highly-personalized cards. She infused everything she touched with imagination, warmth, and love. She never missed an occasion to celebrate - whether a birthday, graduation, or another special event - she was there showing up in spirit and warmth. Holidays at her house were like wrapping yourself in a warm blanket.  She made everything special down to the details of the lights, the wreaths, and the little chocolates wrapped in different colored tin foils that she hung on the tree–her nephews and nieces always sneakily ate too many.  She loved to travel and explored Europe, India and Asia with her friends, collecting art and artifacts along the way that enlivened her home.  Her charcoal drawings, pen sketches, and oil paintings–portraits of friends and landscapes from around the world–now enliven the walls of the homes of her family.  She was proud of her heritage and exchanged letters (in Polish) with her relatives in Poland.  Wanda was devoted to her Catholic faith; a bust of the Polish Pope John Paul II adorned the mantle of her home. She was also a great gardener with more house plants than seemed practical and a whole sunroom filled with geraniums. Wanda was always out for a bargain, she treated cutting coupons as a competitive sport. For several years after her mother died, she spent winters in a condo in Tarpon Springs where she loved to explore the coastal towns of Florida on long drives with her brothers. She made every single person in her life feel special and feel loved. Wanda's caring and acts of kindness demonstrated her deep love of her family, always there for a consoling ear.  Her nieces and nephews fondly recall overnight stays at her house, little adventures into a world of curiosity and care. As her mother’s caretaker until her passing, she carefully tended to all her needs, made her meals, and spent hours with her in the sunroom among the geraniums. She loved to share stories of her travels and about her family.  She lovingly collected thousands of photos of the family and carefully put them into many, very well-organized albums. This wasn't just for her to cherish but to bring her family closer together as they spent hours reminiscing with her.  Wanda Pawlowski’s life demonstrated that it's possible to give so much love to others in so many ways and in such volumes throughout all of our lives. Wanda taught us, through her example, that it is possible to give endlessly, to love deeply, and to make others feel special. She was, and always will be, a beautiful example for all of us. Family will receive friends from 9 am till mass time at 10 am at the Holy Name Church Narthex. Fr. Brian Warchola. Interment Holy Cross Cemetery, Northern Cambria, PA.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations in her memory to the Kosciusko Foundation (https://thekf.org/) which promotes Polish-American intellectual and artistic exchange.

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