Matilda C. “Tilly” Labuda

Matilda C. “Tilly”  Labuda, 99, of Johnstown, passed away May 29, 2019 at home.  Born January 3, 1920 in Johnstown, PA. Last surviving member of her immediate family. 

Preceded in death by her Parents, Joseph and Mary Labuda,  sisters, Anna Maschak and Ernestine Maschak and son, Richard Labuda.  Survived by nephews/nieces Stephen (Anita) Maschak,  David (Sharon) Maschak, Christine Maschak, B.J. Carey,  Dennis (Eva) Maschak,  Edward (Susan) Maschak and many other nieces/nephews and great nieces/ nephews and cousins.  Also survived by her “adopted” children, James (Judi) Walsh, Patricia Koop, Thomas (Patricia) Walsh, Edward Walsh and Timothy (Lisa) Walsh, eight “adopted” grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. 

Tilly was a native of the Cambria City and West End sections of Johnstown, having survived both the 1936 and 1977 floods from where she lived.  She had many jobs early in her life, most notably Sky’s Market in the West End.  She also became a housekeeper and eventually took on a job that would change her life and the lives of her adopted children.  After being hired by Richard Walsh to be the caretaker of his five children upon the death of his wife in 1965, Tilly helped raise the Walsh kids and remained in their lives until the end of her life.  In the late 1960’s Tilly joined General Telephone Company (Verizon) and remained there until her retirement in 1986.  She enjoyed traveling and visited Rome, London, Paris, Hawaii as well as several cruise ship holidays.  She knew everyone in Johnstown, and everyone knew her.  Wherever we’d go as kids, or even as adults, Tilly knew someone.  She had a deep affinity for baseball and her favorite teams were the Pittsburgh Pirates and Atlanta Braves. 

A devout Catholic, Tilly was a life member of St. Stephen’s/Resurrection Parish, until joining Our Mother of Sorrows in recent years.  As the child of Slovakian immigrants, Tilly spoke Slovak fluently and she was a long-time member of the First Catholic Slovak Ladies Association.  Boze Moj (Oh my God), Tilly successfully tamed a bunch of Irish hooligans by carrying a wooden spoon, but she never used it. 

Many thanks go to her special friends at Laurelwood Apartments, Sandy Weimer and Annette Wallace, who helped make her last month’s comfortable.  Also, special thanks to Conemaugh Hospice for the unbelievably excellent care which they provided in her final months of life.  Tilly had a long and fruitful life and she will be missed by many as she is now in heaven with her Creator.  Job well done good and faithful servant; job well done!

Friends received from 12 Noon until time of Funeral Service at 1:00 PM on Saturday, June 1, 2019 at the Frank Duca Funeral Home, Westmont Chapel, 1622 Menoher Blvd. Johnstown PA 15905. Rev. Scott Lill Chaplain, Conemaugh Regional Hospice. Interment, St. Stephen Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation for masses to be said in her name to Our Mother of Sorrows Catholic Church, or to a charity of your choice in her memory.

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