Obituaries

Elida M. Evans-Lewandowski 1944-2024

BOARDMAN -- Elida M. Evans-Lewandowski, 79, succumbed to cancer and passed peacefully at UPMC Family Hospice at Canterbury Place, Pittsburgh, Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024, in the presence of her husband.

Born on All Saints Day, Nov. 1, 1944, to Pietro and Evelyn Wilson-Evangelista of Altoona and State College, Pa., she was one of two daughters. Her father was a second-generation cobbler who made all of her childhood shoes in multiple colors. She attended Wehnwood Elementary in Altoona and was the only girl in grades one through six. Her father moved his shoe shop to State College, Pa. in 1960 and Elida graduated from State College Area High School in 1962. She attended Penn State University and graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology in 1969 and dual Master's degrees in Counseling and Psychology in 1972. She started her professional career for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania at Laurelton Center in Union County, Pa. as a Psychological Associate for adult developmentally and mentally challenged residents.

In 1985, she transferred to the New Castle, Pa., Youth Development Center, a state facility for adjudicated male delinquents, and continued her work as a Psychological Associate working with sexual and violent offenders. As her career evolved, she was promoted to Unit Manager for Violent Offenders, Director of Operations and Support Services, and Assistant Superintendent / Chief Operations Officer.

During her career, Elida was a trainer and presenter for the Pennsylvania Sexual Abuse Prevention and Education Network, the Juvenile Justice Training and Research Program through Shippensburg State University, Camp Hill Training Academy, the Department of Corrections, and the Ohio Peace Officer Training Council. Elida was also recognized by the Association on Probation, Parole and Corrections as Juvenile Corrections Professional of the Year and the American Correctional Association as one of Pennsylvania's "Best in the Business" in 2004. In 2008, she was named the State College Area High School Alumni of the Year. Elida retired in May 2009, after 35 years working for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

While still in State College, she met James M. Lewandowski, and they built a love and life together in Boardman, lasting 40 years. Together, they enjoyed alpine skiing, boating, vacations to various cities along the eastern shore as well as California, Michigan and Florida, and multiple trips throughout Italy, France, England, Belgium and Punta Cana. One of Elida's highlights was traveling to her family's ancestral home in Tussio, Italy. There, she met the village's genealogist who later researched and presented her with her family history dating back to the mid-1850s.

Elida will be deeply missed and always remembered by her husband, James; her son, Robert K. Gibbons (Renee) of Waynesburg, Pa.; and granddaughters, Hannah Marie Gibbons and Abby Evelyn Gibbons; as well as her two nieces, Lori Dunlop-Phillips and sons Braeden and Cooper, and Lisa Dunlop-Spock and daughters Anna Faye and Molly.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her beloved younger sister, Florence E. Dunlop (James) of State College, Pa.

Of special note in Elida's life was that she was blessed by her cousin Joey DeRubeis (Joy) of Altoona, Pa, who donated a kidney in 2019. It created a paired transplant match for her and another (father of two), thus extending the lives of both recipients.

The family would like to extend their appreciation to Dr. Erdal Sarac of Boardman and the nurses and physicians at UPMC Shadyside (4th fl.), as well as the staff at UPMC Family Hospice for their compassionate care.

The Lewandowski family has entrusted their loved one to the care of the Wasko Funeral Home and will receive family and friends 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 18, 2024, at the Kubina Yuhasz Wasko Funeral Home (5925 Market Street in Boardman). Prayers will be offered at 10:30 a.m. Monday, at the funeral home, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m., at St. Charles Borromeo Church.

Visit www.waskofamily.com to view this obituary and send Elida's family condolences.

(special notice)

Obituaries

Elida M. Evans-Lewandowski 1944-2024

BOARDMAN -- Elida M. Evans-Lewandowski, 79, succumbed to cancer and passed away peacefully Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024, at UPMC Family Hospice at Canterbury Place, Pittsburgh, in the presence of her husband.

Born on All Saints Day, Nov. 1, 1944, to Pietro and Evelyn Wilson-Evangelista of Altoona and State College, Pa., she was one of two daughters. Her father was a second-generation cobbler who made all of her childhood shoes in multiple colors. She attended Wehnwood Elementary in Altoona and was the only girl in grades 1 through 6. Her father moved his shoe shop to State College, Pa., in 1960; and Elida graduated from State College Area High School in 1962. She attended Penn State University and graduated with a bachelor's degree in psychology in 1969 and dual master's degree in counseling and psychology in 1972. She started her professional career for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania at Laurelton Center in Union County, Pa. as a psychological associate for adult developmentally and mentally challenged residents.

In 1985, she transferred to the New Castle, Pa., Youth Development Center, a state facility for adjudicated male delinquents, and continued her work as a psychological associate working with sexual and violent offenders. As her career evolved, she was promoted to unit manager for violent offenders, director of operations and support services, and assistant superintendent/chief operations officer.

During her career, Elida was a trainer and presenter for the Pennsylvania Sexual Abuse Prevention and Education Network, the Juvenile Justice Training and Research Program through Shippensburg State University, Camp Hill Training Academy, the Department of Corrections, and the Ohio Peace Officer Training Council. Elida was also recognized by the Association on Probation, Parole and Corrections as Juvenile Corrections Professional of the Year and the American Correctional Association as one of Pennsylvania's "Best in the Business" in 2004. In 2008, she was named the State College Area High School Alumni of the Year. Elida retired in May 2009, after 35 years working for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

While still in State College, she met James M. Lewandowski, and they built a love and life together in Boardman, lasting 40 years. Together, they enjoyed alpine skiing, boating, vacations to various cities along the eastern shore as well as California, Michigan and Florida and multiple trips throughout Italy, France, England, Belgium and Punta Cana. One of Elida's highlights was traveling to her family's ancestral home in Tussio, Italy. There, she met the village's genealogist who later researched and presented her with her family history dating back to the mid-1850s.

Elida will be deeply missed and always remembered by her husband, James; her son, Robert K. Gibbons (Renee) of Waynesburg, Pa.; and granddaughters, Hannah Marie Gibbons and Abby Evelyn Gibbons; as well as her two nieces, Lori Dunlop-Phillips and sons, Breaden and Cooper, and Lisa Dunlop-Spock and daughters, Anna Faye and Molly.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and her beloved younger sister, Florence E. Dunlop (James) of State College, Pa.

Of special note in Elida's life was that she was blessed by her cousin, Joey DeRubeis (Joy) of Altoona, Pa., who donated a kidney in 2019. It created a paired transplant match for her and another (father of two), thus extending the lives of both recipients.

The family would like to extend their appreciation to Dr. Erdal Sarac of Boardman and the nurses and physicians at UPMC Shadyside (fourth floor) as well as the staff at UPMC Family Hospice for their compassionate care.

The Lewandowski family has entrusted their loved one to the care of the Wasko Funeral Home and will receive family and friends from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 18, 2024, at the Kubina Yuhasz Wasko Funeral Home, 5925 Market St., Boardman.

Prayers will be offered at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Feb. 19, 2024, at the funeral home, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. at St. Charles Borromeo Church.

Visit www.waskofamily.com to view this obituary and send Elida's family condolences.

(special notice)