Matushka Joanna Pianovich

Matushka Joanna Pianovich, 86, peacefully fell asleep in the Lord on Saturday morning, January 14, 2012, at Community Hospice here.  She was the beloved wife of Archpriest Eugene Pianovich, to whom she had been married for 60 years.

Born in Olyphant, PA, the daughter of John and Martha Russin Sweda, she graduated from the former Olyphant High School and Lackawanna Business College.  She was employed by International Correspondence School, Scranton, PA, as well as for several charity groups.

She was very active at Saints Peter and Paul Church, Springfield, MA, where her husband served as pastor for 45 years before retiring in 2002.

She was preceded in death by a sister, Myra.

She was a member of St. Nicholas Church, Olyphant.

She is survived by her children, Myra [Archpriest Daniel] Kovalak, Williamsport, PA; Eugenia [Archpriest John] Perich, Boothwyn, PA; Joanna [Priest John] Bohush, Endicott, NY; and Mark [Valerie], Port St. Lucie, FL; sisters, Barbara Puhalla, Olyphant; Martha Ermakov, McKeesport, PA; and Vera Wasacz, San Francisco, CA; nine grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Visitation will begin at 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 17, at St. Nicholas Orthodox Church, East Lackawanna Avenue, Olyphant, PA, with the celebration of the Panikhida at 7:00 p.m.

Funeral services will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, January 18, at the church, with Archpriest Vladimir Fetcho, pastor, officiating with the family clergy.  Interment will follow at Saint Tikhon’s Monastery Cemetery, South Canaan, PA.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Joanna’s memory to Saint Nicholas Church, Olyphant, PA; Saint Tikhon’s Monastery; or Saint Tikhon’s Seminary.

May Matushka Joanna’s memory be eternal!