Dec 17, 2018

Thelma I. Friend Niedzwickie, 93, of McMurray, formerly of Canonsburg, passed away peacefully Monday, December 17, 2018, in Paramount Senior Living, McMurray.

She was born September 18, 1925, in Washington, a daughter of the late Joseph and Estelle Pijanowski Szolek.

She was married to Stanley R. Friend, who passed away in 1987. She then married Stanley Niedzwickie on November 9, 1990, and he passed away April 2, 2015.

She was a member of St. Genevieve’s in Canonsburg, until its closing. She then joined St. Patrick Catholic Church, where she was an active member for many years. She was a member of Christian Mothers and volunteered at numerous fish fries and summer festivals. Thelma was known as one of the “pierogie ladies” at St. Patrick Church. She was devoted to her faith and her church.

Mrs. Niedzwickie was employed as a factory worker for many years at Brockway Glass.

She had many interests and hobbies, including bowling, bingo, dancing, especially polkas, crocheting afghans as gifts for many people over the years and playing the slots at the casino. She was a classy woman who will never be forgotten by her friends and family.

Surviving are her two sons, Stanley J. Friend (Nancy) of Erie and Richard A. Friend (Deanna) of South Carolina; her only daughter, Cheryl A. Friend Sluciak of Canonsburg; her sisters, Gloria J. Imperatore of Canonsburg and Edith Huffman of Fayetteville, Ga.; two grandchildren, Christopher Friend and Jason M. Friend; a great-granddaughter, Ava Friend; several stepgrandchildren and stepgreat-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Deceased, in addition to her parents and husbands, are a brother, Robert Szolek, and two sisters, Loretta E. Lee and Elsie D. Ladzinski.

Friends are welcome from 2 to 8 p.m. Wednesday in Salandra Funeral and Cremation Services Inc., Joseph P. Salandra, LFD, owner/supervisor, Darla A. Tripoli, LFD, 304 West Pike Street, Canonsburg, 724-745-8120, where departing prayers will begin at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, December 20. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10 a.m. in St. Patrick Catholic Church, 317 West Pike Street, Canonsburg. Entombment will follow in Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Peters Township.

To view or leave condolences, visit www.salandrafunerals.com.