Margaret Garstecki Obituary

Margaret Garstecki, 95, of Richeyville, passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 25, 2023, at the LaFayette Manor Skilled Nursing Facility in Uniontown, after battling congestive heart failure. Margaret Garstecki, 95, of Richeyville, passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 25, 2023, at the LaFayette Manor Skilled Nursing Facility in Uniontown, after battling congestive heart failure. She was born on November 4, 1928, in Brownsville, daughter of the late Mike and Helen Rosen. Margaret was a 1947 graduate of Centerville High School in Centerville, and a graduate of Penn Commercial Institute in Washington, with the class of 1950. Upon graduation, she was employed as a secretary with the UMWA in Pittsburgh. On July 5, 1952, Margaret married her husband, Paul Andrew Garstecki. The couple celebrated 38 anniversaries together until Paul's untimely death in 1990. The Garstecki family had one child, their daughter, Paula. As a homemaker, wife, mother and grandmother, Margaret excelled. She loved her family, cooking, baking and keeping an impeccable house for them. But nothing was more important to her than caring for her young grandson, Cameron, while his mother taught school. He was the light of her life. Equally important to Margaret was her place of worship. She was a life-long member of St. Nicholas Byzantine Catholic Church in Brownsville. It was there that she was most active outside the home. Along with worshiping at her church, she was one of the original "peroghi ladies" and she cooked, baked and served among her friends at the church. Margaret was proud of her faith, her church, and was always willing to help in any way possible. She helped at the annual church bazaars. Her dedication and culinary skills, along with those of the other talented ladies of the church, did not go unnoticed. Margaret participated in the annual pilgrimages at Mount St. Macrina over the Labor Day weekends throughout the years. She enjoyed worshiping with others and was very devoted to her Byzantine faith. She was also a former member of the American Legion Auxiliary in Centerville. Mrs. Garstecki was very proud of the accomplishments of her daughter and her grandson, Cameron. She enjoyed helping Cameron in the early days of his entrepreneurship. Spending time with him brought her so much joy and she enjoyed helping where she could with his business endeavors. For many years, Margaret served on the reunion committee of her former high school and enjoyed the celebrations with her dear school mates. Mrs. Garstecki was proud of her ethnic heritage and enjoyed the traditional foods and traditions of the ethnic culture. She appreciated a good Polka band and participated in Polka dances with her husband throughout their time together. You could often hear Polka music playing in Margaret's home, especially on Sunday afternoons. Preceding Margaret in death in addition to her beloved husband, Paul; were brother, Mike Rusin and sister-in-law, Marianne Rusin. Margaret is survived by her daughter, Paula Andrea Garstecki Neth of Brownsville; her grandson, Cameron Patrick Neth, of Palm Beach, Florida; her fur grandbabies: Great Gatsby the Shih Tzu, and Elizabeth, the French Bulldog. Margaret was also very fortunate to have several devoted nieces and nephews who always visited and kept in contact. Being that she was the last surviving aunt of the Garstecki / Rosen families, the loving phone calls and visits were deeply appreciated as they continued to provide hours of joy and comfort to her until the end. The family of Margaret Garstecki wishes to thank the nurses and staff at LaFayette Manor, along with the many other medical teams throughout the area who assisted her recently. The kindness and help shown did not go unnoticed. Thanks also to the neighbors and friends who have been generous in assisting Margaret and her family. The Reverend Christopher R. Burke has been entrusted to provide Margaret with her final blessings. Memorial donations in memory of Margaret may be made to St. Nicholas Byzantine Catholic Church, 302 Third Ave., Brownsville, PA 15417. Services are private and have been entrusted to the John B. Greenlee Funeral Home, Ltd., 2830 Main Street, Beallsville. Interment will be in LaFayette Memorial Park, Brier Hill. An online guestbook is available at GreenleeFuneralHome.com where you may express personal condolences to the Garstecki family.