Olga (Strugala) Barr

Olga P. (Strugala) Barr went with the angels to her heavenly home the morning of October 30th, 2022. Born October 18th, 1927, the middle child of Louis and Mary (Gancarz) Strugala, who came from Poland in 1909. Preceded in death by her parents and her husband of sixteen years, John Andrew Barr, who died in 1963. Also, her brothers Walter Strugala (Maryann), Edward Strugala (Betty), sister Frances (John) Zelinsky, all of Nanty-Glo PA, and her sisters Mary Ann (Melvin) Clark, Louise (Donald) Niebauer, and in-law John Volosen, of Akron OH; and two infant sisters and two nephews. She is survived by her sister Helen Volosen of Akron OH, four loving children; Mary Elaine (Gordon) Snow of Mountain Top PA, Regina Barr of Vinco PA, John Martin (Patricia) Barr of Carlisle PA, Theresa (William) Brady of Mineral Point PA; seven grandchildren, Christine (Philip) Dunn, Michael Markovich (Michele), Marya (George) Klayko, Anna Rae (Brice) Overdorff, all of Pittsburgh PA, Lydia Barr of Carlisle, PA, Matthew (Katherine) Brady and Rachel Brady of Mineral Point PA; along with five great-grandchildren, Lukas Dunn, Lilliana Dunn, George M. Klayko, Opal Klayko, and Aidan Overdorff, plus numerous dear nieces, nephews, and many other members of her astounding family. During World War II, Olga worked as Rosie the Riveter in the Republican Steel Defense Plant in Warner OH, the postal department of Mercy Hospital in Johnstown, the Cambria County Courthouse, as well as the Office of Aging. She volunteered at the area’s Catholic schools as well as various Catholic churches. She enjoyed flower arranging for weddings, shopping in the Disney store, and watching day break in the morning. She also served as the family historian and was always proud of her Polish-American heritage. She was a member of the Senior Center, the Polish National Alliance of North America, and the Assumption Church until their closing on January 13, 2008. She proudly supported Holy Cross Polish National Catholic Church in Portage as a tribute to her father, who was a member. She is presently a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Nanty Glo PA, where a funeral mass will be held on Wednesday, November 2nd, at 11:00am. All are welcome in the celebration of her life. At her request, there will be no public viewing or visiting. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to: United Cerebral Palsy Foundation, 119 JARI Drive, Johnstown, PA 15904 and the Disabled American Veterans Association, 1000 Liberty Ave. Pittsburgh PA 15222, or the charity of your choice. Olga passed away at the age of 95, but lived for a total of 34,712 days - an almost unfathomable amount of time for a life. Yet, she made it one defined by unwavering perseverance. While the greater world evolved around her, one tragic year in 1963 ushered her in as the lone monarch of her family. She spent the next sixty years embracing that role, and performing it like no other. She was always present, not just physically, but externally, in anyone’s time of need; a mother, a grandmother, a great-grandmother, a friend, a confidant, and a moral source of truth. She never let such a tragic event - the passing of her spouse - define her or the hope she had for everyone around her. It never became anyone else’s burden to bear. A mother bird with wings, she shielded her family from the pain she undoubtedly felt, and never stopped giving what she could, loving how she could, and listening the way others needed, even if she wasn’t up to the task that day. She was steadfast - the rock of her family - and a model human for all generations to come after her. And truly, someone that lived as long and as well as she did, could never be forgotten. We will love and miss her always.

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