Here is Constance Stepien’s obituary. Please accept Echovita’s sincere condolences.
We are sad to announce that on November 21, 2021 we had to say goodbye to Constance Stepien of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, born in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. Family and friends can send flowers and/or light a candle as a loving gesture for their loved one. Leave a sympathy message to the family in the guestbook on this memorial page of Constance Stepien to show support.
She was predeceased by : her parents, Carl A. Kirchner and Anna M. Kirchner (Cherkola); her husband Carl C. Stepien; and her son Craig Stepien. She is survived by : her children, Carrie (Dennis Poilucci) of Pittsburgh, PA and Corey (Erin); her grandchildren, Nicholas Poilucci, Claire, Olivia and Nolan Stepien; her brother Carl J. Kirchner (Suzie); and her pet Molly.
A funeral mass will be held on Thursday, December 2nd 2021 at 11:00 AM at the St. Clement Catholic Church (114 Lindberg Ave, Johnstown, PA 15905). A committal service will be held on Thursday, December 2nd 2021 at 12:15 PM at the Grandview Cemetery (801 Millcreek Rd, Johnstown, PA 15905).
Source: echovita
STEPIEN – Constance “Connie”, 77, of Pittsburgh, formerly of Johnstown, died November 21, 2021, at Sunrise of McCandless, Pittsburgh. Born November 12, 1944, in Johnstown, daughter of Carl A. and Anna M. (Cherkola) Kirchner. Preceded in death by her parents; husband, Carl C. Stepien and son, Craig Stepien. Survived by her children: Carrie, married to Dennis Poilucci, Pittsburgh, PA; and Corey, married to Erin (Nolan) Stepien, Redlands, CA; grandchildren: Nicholas Poilucci; Claire, Olivia, and Nolan Stepien; brother, Carl J. (Suzie) Kirchner; and furry friend, Molly. Connie retired from the Western PA School for the Deaf in Pittsburgh, PA where she was the Dean of Girls. There will be no visitation for Connie however, family and friends are invited to attend a funeral Mass 11 a.m. Thursday, December 2, 2021, at St. Clement Catholic Church, Fr. William E. Rosenbaum officiating. Committal will take place at Grandview Cemetery Mausoleum. Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.fgozogfuneralhome.com
Source: Francis G. Ozog Funeral Home, Inc.
Connie started working at WPSD in 1979 as the Dean of Girls until she officially “retired” in 2007 while she was Assistant Dean of Students. She worked at WPSD as full-time staff for 28 years. However, Connie continued working at WPSD as an interpreter for Superintendent / CEO, Donald Rhoten until his retirement in 2016.
Former WPSD Superintendent / CEO, Donald Rhoten’s statement on his Facebook
“In her role as WPSD’s Dean of Girls, Connie touched the lives of hundreds of students, their families and WPSD staff.
Born a CODA, Child of Deaf Adults, Connie lived her entire life in the deaf world. During her many years as Dean, Connie and her family lived on the WPSD campus in the girl’s dorm. On call 24/7, she was indefatigable, routinely working 12-16 hours a day. No one worked harder or gave more.
Connie was “old school”, having high expectations and standards for the students. She was strict and, the students would eventually appreciate it and the parents loved her for it. The greatest compliment for a professional is when alumni return to school and seek you out, which they routinely did with Connie.
Operating a residential program is a huge, huge responsibility. The parents entrust us with their most precious assets, their children. Connie’s love and caring and attention to detail made it easier for parents to trust us. They knew Connie would take care of their kids. When there was darkness in their lives, Connie was a light to help them through it.
In addition to her dorm responsibilities, Connie served as my interpreter before WPSD added a full time position. She made many trips with me to Harrisburg for meetings with legislators, the administration, PDE staff, etc.. Those folks got to know her and appreciate her. She was a lot of fun and I have many funny stories to share of our meetings and experiences, that. In later years, after she retired, during my trips to Harrisburg, folks would ask about her and make sure I conveyed their well wishes.
We brought her out of retirement to help design the residential program at our new school in Scranton. She spent weeks in Scranton as an important member of our planning team. The fact that 12 years later, the Scranton School is still thriving, is part of her legacy.
She didn’t work for the pay, she worked for the kids. She needed to be needed, she needed to serve. She wanted to make a positive difference in her girls’ lives, and she did.” By Don Rhoten on his Facebook (November 22, 2021)
