Barbara Ann (Janosik) Felak

Barbara Ann “Babs” (Janosik) Felak, age 90, passed away on June 3, 2023, after a long bout with COPD.  Barbara was born in Monessen, Pennsylvania, on August 15, 1932, the daughter of John Francis Janosik and Gizella “Zella” Regina (Gergel) Janosik.  Barbara, named for her paternal grandmother, graduated from Monessen High School in 1950.  She worked at various jobs in Monessen, including at a laundry, a shoe store, and as a secretary at the steel mill.  On October 13, 1956, she married Ramon Charles Felak of Charleroi, Pennsylvania, and started a family. Barbara is survived by their two children-James Ramon (Cheryl) Felak of Seattle, Washington, and Linda Sue Felak of Monessen.  She is also survived by grandchildren Timothy Joseph Vrabel, Melanie Vrabel (Colin) Adams, Stephen James (Rebecca) Felak, Susanna Elizabeth (Felak) Garrett, Thomas Augustine Felak, and John Paul Felak.  Barbara is also survived by three great-grandchildren- Declan Kent Adams, Maisie Louise Adams, and Madeline Dorothy Garrett. Barbara is also survived by her older brother John “Jack” (Dorothy) Janosik of Cleveland, Ohio. Barbara is preceded in death by her husband, Ray, and great-granddaughter, Eleanor (Ellie) Foster Adams. Barbara lived on Braddock Avenue when growing up.  After marrying, she moved to Motheral Avenue and then to Ninth Street.  She then spent most of her adult life residing on Pennsylvania Boulevard in the Park Plan.  Barbara was a member of Epiphany of Our Lord Parish in Monessen (formerly Holy Name Parish).  She was a proud resident of Monessen and the Valley, and she was proud of her Slovak ancestry.  Throughout her life, she enjoyed playing the piano, sewing, watching high school basketball (her uncle Frank was formerly Monessen’s head coach), making Slovak foods such as halupki and kolache, watching Johnny Carson’s “The Tonight Show,” cheering on the Pittsburgh Steelers, building puzzles, and coloring.  She was an active volunteer with Meals on Wheels and the Greater Monessen Historical Society. Barbara’s last years were spent at the Hallsworth House care home in Monessen - and under the care of Viaquest Hospice - where she was a favorite of the staff due to her quick wit, brutal honesty, and kind heart.  Her family and beloved caregivers will miss her dearly.  May she rest in peace. Friends will be received on Wednesday June 7th from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm and from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm in the Dalfonso-Billick Funeral Home Inc. and Cremation Services, 441 Reed Avenue, Monessen. Services will begin with a Blessing service on Thursday June 8th at 9:30 am in the funeral home, followed by a funeral Mass at 10:00 am, at the Epiphany of our Lord Church with Rev. Michael Crookston officiating. Entombment will follow in the Grandview Cemetery Mausoleum.  Memorial Contributions can be made to the American Lung Association, www.lung.org, 55 W. Wacker Drive, Suite 1150, Chicago, IL 60601 or a charity of your choice.

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