Yvonne Lazzari Blyshak, a life-long resident of Allegheny County, PA (Monongahela and Shady Side), died on December 29. She was predeceased by her husband, Nicholas (December 28, 1985). Born September 6, 1930 in Monongahela, PA, she was the daughter of the late Frederick Marcus (2002) and Estelle Sandine Lazzari (1986), granddaughter of the late Joseph and Caterina Ferlinghetti Lazzari, and sister of the late Frederick Milton Lazzari (2010). Yvonne was a graduate of Duquesne University, B.Ed. (1952) where she was President of the Sigma Phi Delta Sorority, and received a Master of Arts Degree from the University of Michigan (1955).
Yvonne followed in her Aunt Marina Lazzari Vackaro's footsteps into teaching. She had a 45 year career as a teacher and guidance counselor with the Pittsburgh Public Schools. Yvonne was a dedicated member of the Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers. Teaching was not a job for Yvonne but her vocation. In 1952 she began her career as a teacher in Indiana, PA and retired as a guidance counselor at South High School in Pittsburgh, PA. Yvonne staunchly believed in public education; and as a guidance counselor, worked tirelessly to find ways by which first-generation students could attend college. She was a life-long learner whose interests included history, American Indian culture, the Women's Rights movement, travel and current events as well as the art of the English language. She was an avid reader; rarely was there a topic upon which she could not contribute some insight. Yvonne embraced The Arts including theater, ballet and opera as well as the Pittsburgh Steelers. She was Roman Catholic by faith.
Yvonne is survived by her devoted children: daughter, Brett Maria L. Blyshak (William H. Mattison, Jr.) of Medford, NJ and son, Nicholas Frederick Blyshak (Camille Gray Carrithers) of Brady, TX. Sherri Foster, Yvonne's caregiver, holds a special place in the hearts of the Blyshak family for her devotion to their mother.
Her family also includes her brother-in-law, William Blyshak of Washington, PA, nephew William M. Blyshak of Altoona, PA, nieces Susan DeBerardinis of Monongahela, PA, Karen Chisholm (James) of Cannonsburg, PA, Levona "Dee Dee" Lazzari, of Monongahela, PA, Donna J. Blyshak (Alex Acero) of Monte Sereno, CA and Nancy Blyshak of Apollo, PA, as well as 6 great nieces and nephews: Jill and Leah DeBerardinis, Spencer and Blake Chisholm, and Nicolas and Marcos Acero. Yvonne was predeceased by her nieces Linda L. Lazzari (2003) and Leslie M. Lazzari (2010). Additionally, she is survived by the Mattison family with whom she enjoyed many holidays and celebrations: Stephanie Mattison Petrie (Kurt Lancaster) of Flagstaff, AZ and William H. Mattison III (Dalia El-Ramly Mattison) of Marlton, NJ. Their children Morgan Dylan Petrie and Nora Mona Mattison brought great joy to her as she watched Morgan's passage from a little boy to a man; and Nora's wonder and curiosity blossom.
The Blyshak Family requests that Yvonne be remembered with a gift to the Support Center for Child Advocates, a nonprofit with a mission to advocate for victims of child abuse and neglect with the goal of securing safety, justice, well-being and a permanent, nurturing environment for every child. (1617 JFK Blvd., Suite 1200, Philadelphia PA 19103; https://sccalaw.org)
A private celebration of Yvonne's life will be held in Pittsburgh, PA.