Mary Ellen Zitko
Former Peters Township School District nurse
Mary Ellen Zitko, 64, of Washington, died Sunday, September 22, 2013, in Washington Hospital.
She was born December 14, 1948, in Grosse Pointe, Mich., a daughter of the late William and Bernice DeBruyne Thiron.
Mrs. Zitko was a graduate of Dominican High School in Detroit, Mich. She went onto study nursing at St. Clair Community College in Port Huron, Mich., where she received her licensed practical nurse degree. Mrs. Zitko worked briefly as a nurse, before choosing to stay home to take care of her family. Prior to retirement in 2005, she worked as a school nurse in Peters Township School District.
She enjoyed quilting and spending time with her grandchildren.
Mrs. Zitko was a loving and devoted mother and wife, valuing faith and family above all else in her life.
Surviving are her husband of 43 years, John R. Zitko; two sons, Matthew Zitko of Annapolis, Md., and John W. (Christa) Zitko of Hummelstown; a daughter, Beth (Bryan) Trax of McMurray; two brothers, Mark (Rita) Thiron of Grand Blanc, Mich., and Dan (Joni) Thiron of Greensburg, Ky.; a sister, Nancy Durbin of South Lyon, Mich.; six grandchildren, Ben, Grace, Olivia, Emma, Makenah and Ellen; and several nieces and nephews.
Deceased is a grandson, Jonah Trax.
Friends will be received 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday in Piatt and Barnhill Funeral Home, 420 Locust Avenue, Washington. Services will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, September 26, in South Hills Bible Chapel, McMurray, with the Rev. Wayne Johnson officiating. All other services will be private.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. Zitko’s memory to Capital Area Therapeutic Riding Association, P.O. Box 339, Grantville, PA 17028 or www.catra.net, where her granddaughter, Emma, takes therapeutic riding lessons. Condolences may be expressed and photos uploaded at www.familyremembers.com. Piatt and Barnhill Funeral Directors Inc., Charles R. Piatt, owner/supervisor, and Lawrence K. Donovan, funeral director.