Tributes
With nearly 100 years of rich history, Girl Scouting has been made possible by a phenomenal list of volunteers, staff, donors, and of course, girls.
We honor the recently passed members of our Girl Scout family listed below, who truly made a difference to our organization.
Dorothy Marie Vay, 70, of Lincoln Borough, died Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2009, in UPMC Shadyside. She was born Sept. 20, 1939, in McKeesport, and was the daughter of the late Michael and Elizabeth (Kakis) Moonis. She was a member of St. Mark's Catholic Church, Liberty Borough, where she was a Bell Ringer, Eucharistic Minister and member of the Christian Mothers. She was also a member of Lincoln Mothers Club, the Lincoln Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary, Lincoln Borough EMS Director, Elizabeth Township EMS and the Ladies Red Hat Society. Dorothy was a Troop Leader for the Girl Scouts for more than 45 years and was a Gold Award Advisor. She was also a First Aid and CPR Instructor. She is survived by her husband, Nickolas Vay; daughter, Denise Vay and husband, Chris Jones, of Indiana Township; son, Nicholas and wife, Sara, of Lincoln; grandchildren, Nicholas, Michael, Luke, Beth and Carly; a brother, Donald and wife, Mary Jo Moonis, of Myrtle Beach, S.C.; and nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Mark's Catholic Church, the Lincoln Fire Company, the Leukemia Foundation & Lymphoma Society River Walk Corporate Center, No. 441, 333 E. Carson St., Pittsburgh, PA 15219, or the Girl Scouts Western Pennsylvania.
Joanne Peterson of Homer City passed away on Monday, Oct. 5, 2009. A friend and sister in Girl Scouting, JoAnne was a dedicated volunteer who was passionate about Girl Scouting, giving her time unselfishly for nearly 43 years.
She was awarded the Thanks Badge in 1984, honoring her for her dedication as a troop leader, as well as various positions within her service unit and legacy Talus Rock Girl Scout Council. In 2007, Joanne received the Thanks Badge II. She served as Q.S.P. chairperson in her area from the start of the programs until 2008.
At various times, she also served on the Board of Directors and was chair of the nominating committee. Additionally, she was an advisor with the Senior Leadership Development program, teaching girls leadership skills. She served on the round-up committee since it started 10 years ago, and also served on the program team. She enjoyed training new leaders on troop camping skills and countless volunteers have benefited from her skills and talents over the years.
Her other volunteer commitments include being a member of Business and Professional Women’s Club and the Church Altar Society for the Greensburg Diocese Catholic Committee on Scouting. She had a strong commitment to her church, reflected in her support of the Girl Scout religious recognitions program.
We salute Joanne, our Green Angel, who was a strong advocate for Girl Scouting and an asset to our council. We will miss her friendship and her service to Girl Scouts Western Pennsylvania.
Gertrude "Trudy" (Richards) Chadwick of Hooversville, died Sept. 8, 2009, at home. Born June 27, 1919, in Johnstown, daughter of the late Burgess Harmon and Anne (Wicks) Richards. Survived by her husband, Capt. Walter D. Chadwick, USN-Ret.; daughters, Susan Chadwick Cocke, married to Dudley D. Cocke, Virginia; and Frances Chadwick Eckman, married to David D. Eckman, Hooversville; son, W. David Chadwick, Hooversville; grandchildren: Sara Chadwick Cocke, Philadelphia; Sophie Cocke, New York City; Seth Eckman, and wife, Crystal, Hooversville; Carrie Eckman-Trunick, married to Christopher Trunick, Pittsburgh; Amy Eckman, Greensburg; and Katie Eckman, Hooversville; and great-grandchildren: Avi and Zoe, Aaron, Lillian and Christopher. Sister of Frances Hesselbein, New York City, and John H. Richards (deceased). Trudy married her beloved husband 66 years ago when he graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Md. She spent 30 happy years as a dedicated Navy wife – loved all her Navy buddies. She spent the following years on their beautiful farm in Pennsylvania. She loved farm life and all her many friends. Member of Grace Lutheran Church, Stoystown, and the Stoyestown Area Historical Society. No viewing. A memorial service will be held at 6:30 p.m. Friday at Grace Lutheran Church, Stoystown, the Rev. Walter Startzel, officiating. A special and sincere thank you to Home Nursing Agency Hospice, for allowing Trudy to remain at home with her family. No flowers please. Memorial contributions may be given to Girl Scouts Western Pennsylvania, 30 Isabella Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15212; North Star Youth Outreach, 320 Allegheny St., Boswell, Pa. 15531; or Stoyestown Area Historical Society, P.O. Box 11, Stoystown, Pa. 15563.
