Karen E. Porter, age 64 of Independence Township, passed away on June 23rd, 2025, at Good Samaritan Hospice House, after her long, courageous five-year battle with breast cancer. She was a daughter of the late Joseph and Irene (Kohar) Debiec. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her daughter, Rochelle Catherine Porter, a sister, Rochelle Debiec, and numerous aunts and uncles. She is survived by her husband, Jack Porter, with whom she celebrated her 29th wedding anniversary on June 7th of this year, her loving son John Joseph (J.J.) Porter, with whom she resided, a step son, Brian (Kathy) Hans of Hookstown, her brother and sister in law, Joseph and Janelle Debiec of Chippewa, a niece, Jessie Debeic-Sargent and her husband Ryan of Patterson Township, a nephew, Joey Debiec and his wife Megan of Chippewa, four great nieces, an uncle, Edward (Marie) Kohar Sr. of Baden, a cousin and also Karen’s lifelong friend, Patricia Kohar of Sewickley, who cared for her during her illness in so many ways right until her death, her caregiver and a loving friend, Becky Dixon with whom she resided, numerous other cousins, her second family, the Sisters of St. Joseph Baden, six cats and a loving dog, Troy. Karen was a devout Christian of the Catholic faith who attended St. Titus grade school in Aliquippa and graduated from Quigley Catholic High School in 1979. She graduated from Marquette University in 1984 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing and Political Science. While at Marquette University, she interned for Senator William Proxmire in his Milwaukee and Washington, D.C. offices. After graduating, she was the director of Weight Loss Clinics of America. Karen then started her own nursing home care agency (Alternative Home Care), and later on expanded to hospice care, serving the greater Milwaukee area. She was a member of Divine Redeemer Parish and St. James Catholic Church in Sewickley. She served on the board of LTV Steel Credit Union in  Aliquippa. Karen lived out one of her many passions in life within the confines of her kitchen, which contains three ovens and a stove to bake and cook simultaneously. Her culinary creations, which were passed down to her from Grandma Kohar and her mother Irene, were unsurpassed. Not only did she spend countless hours preparing the best homemade meals for her family and friends, she also loved the holidays and made them very special, whether it was a dinner or a holiday feast. Everyone left with styrofoam takeout containers filled to the top and carefully packed full of leftovers. She would not let anyone near her Weber Charcoal Grill, where she was the grill master of steak, shrimp, hot dogs, and chicken that was done to perfection every single time. She began baking her Christmas cookies shortly after Thanksgiving and bought a separate freezer to hold them all. Karen loved the beach and enjoyed her family vacations to Destin, Florida, and would never miss a good Tom Petty concert, rain or shine. Friends will be received from 3-7 P.M. on Thursday, June 26th in the John Syka Funeral Home, Inc., 833 Kennedy Drive, Ambridge, who was in charge of her arrangements and where prayers will be offered Friday, June 27th at 10 A.M., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 A.M. at St. James Catholic Church, 200 Walnut Street, Sewickley. Interment will follow in Mt. Olivet Catholic Cemetery in Hopewell Township. Her family would like to thank the doctors, nurses, and staff at Alleghney General Hospital, oncologist, Dr. Robert Schillo and his entire staff at the UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, radiologist, Dr. Rosenstein and staff for their dedication towards Karen’s pain management, Concordia Visiting Nurses of Baden, Good Samaritan Hospice and Good Samaritan Hospice House, Wexford, for their wonderful and compassionate care in her last few days, In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested in Karens memory to the American Cancer Society.

Helen Ruth (Capenos) Pedaline, 95, formally of Rochester, passed away on June 23, 2025, in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. She was born on March 23rd, 1930, a daughter of the late George and Vella (Barnes) Capenos. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Frank Pedaline and her siblings, Blane Capenos, Marie Gutch, Ethel Beatley and Augusta Nieman. She is survived by her daughters, Frances Pedaline, Bonnie (Bill) Isley and Penny (Joe) Froehlich. She is survived by five grandchildren: William (Ana Chen) Isley III, Danielle (Nicholas) Tamburrino, Kaitlyn (Owen) Sandoval, Renee Froehlich and Anna Froehlich; as well as three great-grandchildren, Evelyn and Winston Isley and Liam Tamburrino.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Helen’s name to Windber Hospice, 600 Somerset Avenue, Windber, PA 15963.

Family and friends will be received on Sunday, June 29th from 3–7 p.m. in the Huntsman Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc. of Rochester, 502 Adams Street, Rochester, where a funeral service will be held on Monday, June 30th at 10 a.m. Private interment will be held at Sylvania Hills Memorial Park, 273 PA-68.

Joan Watson, 88, passed away peacefully at Good Samaritan Hospice in Wexford on June 23rd, 2025.
She was born in Ambridge on June 16th, 1937, a daughter of the late John and Anelia Halaico and the beloved wife of the late William Watson. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her two sisters, Helen Burnell and Genevieve Mutz. She is survived by her daughter, Becky Sperduti (Ron), her stepson, Bill Watson (Judy), several nieces and nephews and her precious granddog, Gabby.
Joan was an excellent cook and baker who loved making delicious food for family, friends and church events. Beyond her cooking skills, she was also an excellent seamstress. She loved reading mystery books and doing crossword puzzles in her spare time.
Her family extends their eternal gratitude to the exceptional team at Good Samaritan Hospice in Wexford. Their compassion, dedication, and unwavering support during Joan’s final journey were a true blessing. Her family is also deeply grateful for the professionalism and kindness of Economy Ambulance who assisted Joan on many occasions.
Her family respects Joan’s wishes that no service or gathering take place. Instead, they encourage loved ones to remember and celebrate the cherished moments. Services are private and arrangements have been entrusted to Alvarez-Hahn Funeral Services and Cremation, LLC, 547 8th Street, Ambridge.

Tammy J. Miller, 65, formerly of Northwood, North Dakota, passed away on June 22nd, 2025 at her residence in Monaca.

She was born in Northwood, North Dakota, on June 8th, 1960, a daughter of the late Medard and Gladys (Olson) Schultz. Tammy is survived by her fiancé of 24 years, Robert Mizenko, a daughter, Barbra J. (Laura) Miller, a grandchild, Seth (Mia Scalamogna) Ellefson, her sisters: Thersa (Steve) Walker, Virginia Breeden, Janice Oswalt, Brenda (George) Robbie, Carol Sather and Jacky Jurasko; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

Friends will be received on Wednesday, June 25th from 1 P.M. until the time of services at 4 P.M. in the GABAUER FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, Inc., 1133 Penn Avenue, New Brighton. Pastor Sonny Blucher will officiate.