Eleanor N. Ludwig Smolar

Eleanor N. (Grisnik) Ludwig Smolar,93, of New Brighton, passed away on October 26,2023, at Franciscan Manor.               

Eleanor was born in New Brighton on April 11, 1930, a daughter of the late Jacob and Nettie (Zivitz) Grisnik.  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Jack Ludwig; her second husband, Rudy Smolar; two sisters, Elizabeth Spretnak and Anna Mae Fudjak; and one brother, Jake Grisnik.

She is survived by two daughters Judy (Denis) Pasquale and Maureen (Edward) Moldovan, one son John (Vickie) Ludwig, eight grandchildren: Bryan (Tracie) Pasquale, Tom (Jamie) Pasquale, Lauren (Roman) Kozak, Daniel (Liz) Moldovan, Katie (Matt) Montagazzi, Jessica (Nick) Henry, Michael (Erica) Ludwig and Andy Ludwig (Payton Cianfarano), 16 great grandchildren: Dominic and Dylan Pasquale;  Lily and James Pasquale; Dmitri, Judah, Ari and Matteo Kozak; Charlie and Jackson Moldovan; Louis and Enzo Montagazzi; Amelia, Harlow, and Josie Eleanor Henry;  and Noah Ludwig, one sister-in-law Nancy Grisnik, and many nieces, nephews and their families.

Eleanor was a graduate of New Brighton High School, Beaver Valley General Hospital School of Nursing, and Slippery Rock University, becoming the first college graduate of her family. She worked initially as an industrial nurse for Babcock and Wilcox, and then as an obstetric instructor and supervisor for the Beaver Valley General Hospital. She finally realized her goal of teaching when she became the Inservice Director at Beaver Valley General Hospital, Providence Hospital, followed by Ellwood City Hospital.  She completed her career as an Allied Health Specialist at CCBC where she implemented a certificate program for nurses’ assistants.  She assisted in writing the first test for nursing assistants for the state of Pennsylvania.  After her retirement in 1992, Eleanor became a volunteer for the New Brighton Public Library and for Holy Family Parish Bingo.  She was a lifelong member of Holy Family Parish.

Friends will be received Sunday, October 29th from 12noon-4pm in the J&J Spratt Funeral Home, 1612 Third Avenue, New Brighton where prayer will be held Monday, October 30th at 10:30am followed by Mass of Christian burial at 11am in Our Lady of the Valley Parish, Holy Family Catholic Church, New Brighton.

Inurnment will take place at a later date in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, New Brighton

The family would like to thank Sherry Crees for her assiduous care and unwavering commitment, Franciscan Manor for their loving support of both Eleanor and the family, and Advanced Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, the family wishes memorials to be made in her name to the New Brighton Public Library or Little Sisters of the Poor.

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