Sister Maryann Golonka 1946-2026

Originally from New Castle, Pa., she graduated from Union Area High School in 1964 and entered the Sisters of the Humility of Mary in 1976 from Our Lady of Czestochowa Parish. She professed her perpetual vows in 1984.

Sr. Maryann was a down-to-earth, fun-loving and joyful woman who loved to make people laugh. She enjoyed composing and writing music that reflected her deep faith and love of life and lending a listening ear to whoever needed it.

She was raised in New Castle by her grandparents, Frank and Sophie Golonka, and her aunts.

Her love of music was a lifelong passion influenced by her Polish heritage, and her grandparents really fostered that interest from a young age.

Sr. Maryann served in health care as a nurse, in the Youngstown and Cleveland dioceses, at St. Joseph Riverside Hospital, Warren, St. Elizabeth Hospital, Youngstown and St. Joseph Hospital, Lorain. She later served as supervisor of several home health care agencies, and as a board member for several organizations, including Mercy Health, Youngstown and Laurel Lake Community Foundation, Hudson.

In the Pittsburgh diocese, Sr. Maryann served as Villa Maria Community Center’s administrator and as the President/CEO of Villa Maria Apartments. She was a vital part of Villa events, like Harvest Day and Nativity Display for many years, and she continued to help coordinate them after leaving as administrator. She ministered as a chaplain at Quality of Life Services in New Castle from 2014-2021, where she shared her musical talents to enrich residents’ lives. In recent years, Sr. Maryann volunteered at Avalon Nursing Home in New Castle and was active in spiritual life activities at Villa Maria Community Center.

She served with her sisters in the HM Ministry of Prayer until her death.

The daughter of the late Joseph S. and Mary Sharek Golonka, she was also preceded in death by her stepmother, Mary E. Golonka; her stepbrother, John R. McCandless; and her aunt, Mildred McGrane.

She is survived by her cousins and their families, and her sisters in the Humility of Mary Congregation, with whom she shared her life for 50 years.

The funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 24 at Villa Maria Chapel, Villa Maria, Pa. Rite of Return and viewing will be 9:30 a.m. at Villa Maria Chapel, prior to the funeral Mass. The funeral will be livestreamed.

Prayer of Remembrance, celebrating the life of Sr. Maryann Golonka, is scheduled at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 9, 2026 (via ZOOM).

Email info@humilityofmary.org to obtain the Zoom links for the funeral livestream and prayer of remembrance.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of the Humility of Mary, Development Office, P.O. Box 534, Villa Maria, Pa. 16155.

Arrangements by McCauley Funeral Home.

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