Mary Jane Pinna

Mary Jane Pinna of Johnstown, died at age 86 on April 4, 2021, Easter Sunday, at Conemaugh Memorial Hospital.

She was the last child born to Pasquale and Josephine (Georgianni) Midile on August 12, 1934 in Punxsutawney, PA. Mary Jane is preceded in death by infant son Matthew, husband, Raymond Louis, her parents, brother, Joseph, sisters, Antoinette, Catherine, baby Mary Agnes and very recently, her sister, Josephine.

Mary Jane is survived by her son, Leonard R. Pinna of Orinda, CA; daughter, Laurie Lynn, and son-in-law Dave Conley of Atlanta, GA; grandson, Matthew R. Pinna of Cleveland, OH; cousins, Mary Yeager, Josephine, wife of Dave Hentz, and John Foster and wife, Ella, and sisters-in-law, Jenny Lees and Louise Simkovic.  Mary Jane was a loving Aunt to nephews, Patrick, Joseph and Michael Midile, nieces, Barbara Ann Simpson, Valerie Kanuch, Karen Sarka and Anne Marie DeMarco, nephews Ralph, Richard and Robert DeMarco, and Luciano Orsini. 

In early life, Mary Jane was considered a laughing, happy-go-lucky young woman, known by her nickname, “Perky.”  Throughout adulthood, Mary Jane’s life increasingly became more difficult.  She carried within herself a personal struggle, and yet, she always managed to radiate out to others a genuine goodness and true beauty of spirit.  Everyone who knew her recognized that she was a special soul in the world.  She had home caregivers in later life, most recently, Leanne and Kay; She quickly won over their hearts with her vulnerability and entertaining quirks. They lovingly and devotedly supported her desire to live her last years in her home. 

Highlights of her years as a life-long member of St. Anthony’s (Clare’s) church include: president of the Christian mother’s club; chair and table captain for calendar parties; annual festival worker; volunteer for annual spaghetti dinner and nut-roll making; and most memorably, she sang and danced in an ambitious variety show, sponsored by the church and held at what was then the Cochran auditorium.  These were a few of her “Favorite Things.”  After working at the Darling Shop and the News Company, Mary Jane devoted most of her life to being a wife, mother and good neighbor within a close-knit community in Conemaugh Borough.  When her children were grown, she went back to work, enjoying her fast-paced counterwork at Tony’s Sub Shop in Roxbury.  And truth be told, her imaginative heart belonged to Frank Sinatra.   Memories of Mary Jane will be treasured by all who knew her.  

Friends will be received from 5-7 PM on Thursday, April 8, 2021 at Frank Duca Funeral Home, Westmont Chapel, 1622 Menoher Blvd. Johnstown PA 15905. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 AM on Friday, April 9, 2021 at St. Clare of Assisi Parish, Rev. George Gulash. Interment, St. Anthony Cemetery, Geistown.

Please practice social distancing and facial coverings at the funeral home and church. 

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