Elizabeth Anne Gawdyda

Elizabeth Anne Gawdyda was born January 13, 1926, in Somerset, PA, and moved to Youngstown not long after. She passed into eternal rest at the home she loved on September 15, 2026.

She was the daughter of Julius and Josephine Bertolini, who immigrated from Northern Italy to seek a better life in the United States after World War I. She lived on the West Side of Youngstown with her parents and four beloved siblings, whom she has now joined in eternal rest: Sophie Cherol, Nellie Martini, James Bertolini, and Rudy Bertolini.

She loved telling stories of growing up on the West Side and shared many of them as if they had happened yesterday. One of her first jobs was as a hat check girl at the Club Merry Go Round, and she even got a $10 tip from Cadillac Charlie! She was a neighborhood air raid warden for drills during World War II, and the lights had better be off when she came through the streets with her lantern! She loved music all her life, and it was at a dance that she met her husband, Bogan Gawdyda, who preceded her in death on July 3, 2020. Their 66 year marriage full of love and good-natured bickering, everyone knew when he was "making her blood pressure go up". They were hilarious to watch and laughed with us. Together, she and Bogan gave their children and grandchildren a solid foundation and a living example of what a good family looks like.

She worked at Packard Electric for about 10 years before having her two children, Lori and Gary Gawdyda, of Hubbard and Youngstown. She was a room mother for her children's classes and was always involved with her church. She enjoyed many beach vacations as a newlywed and throughout her life, even though she didn't like being in the water. She just wanted to be with the people she loved.

She also leaves behind four grandchildren, whom she adored and treated like royalty: Sophia Gawdyda-Suggs, Robert, Rosa, and Susan Gawdyda. She lived the right way and absolutely thought of everyone before herself. She knew everyone's birthday and could solve the toughest crosswords! She was one of the kindest people alive, but you had better not try to cheat her out of a penny! She was a strong and determined person and never gave up on finding ways to accomplish any task that she put her mind to. She loved talking about current events, and don't ask her opinion of the President unless you wanted an honest answer! She was an extraordinary woman with such an infectious, good spirit. She always had something nice to say and was upbeat until her very last day. She cherished her many friends and neighbors.

Family and friends will gather for visitation on Sunday, September 27th, 2026, from 4-6pm at Blackstone Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Monday, September 28th, at Queen of Heaven/Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in McDonald, beginning at 12:00PM.

Special thanks to Dr. John Gianetti and the staff of Southwoods Health for her care over the past 30 years, and to Anthony Durig, audiologist, for his patience and kindness. The family also wishes to thank her neighbors for all their help.