Obituary of Anna Steranko

Anna was born on July 10, 1926 in New Boston, Pennsylvania, to Michael and Anna Hatala. Anna was one of 9 siblings, growing up in their small close-knit town during the depression era. Upon the sudden death of her beloved mother in 1942, Anna, at age 16, quit high school to help her dad raise her large family. As her 5 brothers, Joe, John, Mike, Pete and Steve, all joined the armed services during World War II, Mary, Anna, Helen, Margie and their dad were left to maintain the home front until all her brothers returned safely from the war. Following the war years, Anna met Tom Steranko, an Army-Air Force veteran, at a friend's wedding and they were happily married in 1949. Relocating to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to work in the aviation industry, Anna and Tom bought a new home and had two sons; Robert in 1955 and Ronald in 1959. Tom retired from the Boeing Aircraft Company in 1985 and they lived a happy retirement in Philadelphia until 1996, when they moved to Williamstown, New Jersey to be close to their children. Sadly, on Thanksgiving Day in 2011, Tom passed away at home surrounded by family, at age 89. All the family love and attention was now focused on Anna, as she lived an active lifestyle, all while dealing with her own health issues with an amazing amount of strength and courage. Anna was a lifelong Bingo played, loved flowers, going shopping, taking daily walks with friends and soaking her feet in the pool. Anna was the "Queen" of her kitchen, whose passion for cooking was enjoyed by everyone. She always enjoyed family vacations in Disney World and took great pride in making her family feel special on birthdays and holidays. Her unconditional dedication to family and friends carried throughout her entire life, as she constantly gave of herself to everyone she loved. That genuine presence of love will always be missed by those special people in her life who called her daughter, sister, wife, friend, and especially two very lucky kids who proudly called her "Mom". Anna is survived by her son, Robert, his wife, Donna, and grandsons, Robert, Ryan, and Brandon; Her son, Ronald, his wife, Cathie, granddaughter, Renee, grandson, Justin, his wife, Eryn, great grandson, Joshua, and great granddaughter, Leighton. She is also survived by her brother, Steve Hatala, his wife, Dolores; sisters, Mary Bogdonavage, Helen Hatala and Margie Hatala; As well as many loving nieces, nephews and extended family. Anna is the daughter of the late Anna and Michael Hatala; Wife of 62 years to the late Thomas Steranko; Brother of the late Joseph Hatala, the late John Hatala, the late Michael Hatala and the late Peter Hatala. Relatives and friends are invited to the memorial mass, Friday, August 29, 2014 at 12 Noon at the Our Lady of Peace Parish, St. Mary's Church, 32 Carroll Ave. in Williamstown. Entombment will follow at the Gloucester County Veteran Cemetery in Williamstown. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, Po Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675. For more information or to e-mail a condolence please visit www.lpwoosterfuneralhome.com.