Susan M. Sambol Petrus – Maumee, Ohio, formerly of Donora

Susan M. Sambol Petrus, of Maumee, Ohio, and formerly of Donora, trusting in God’s eternal love and living a grace-filled life of 107 years, was welcomed into His loving arms on May 3, 2019, at the home of her daughter and son-in-law, Marlene and Charles Berestecky, in Maumee, Ohio. Sue was born to Paul and Mary Brokup Sambol in Alpharetta, Pa., on Aug. 3, 1911. She lived most of her life in Donora, where she was the loving wife for 71 years of John J. Petrus, who preceded her in death in 2002. Sue was sustained throughout her life by her strong Catholic faith and her selfless dedication to family. She believed life was enriched with memories and created many for her family and friends. She was a remarkable homemaker and could usually be found in the kitchen making batches of nut rolls, cheese buns, chalegies, kolaches, pierogies and many other favorites of Slovak and Croatian cuisine. She said that her main ingredient was a lot of love, and it showed in her food. You could follow her recipes for apple squares and berry pie to the letter, but they never tasted as good as when she made them. Sue loved to learn and spent a lot of her leisure time reading a wide variety of material. She could often be found sitting on her sofa, drinking a cup of tea and occasionally remarking on whatever she was reading – whether it was the newspaper, novel, prayer book or memoir. She collected teacups, made beautiful evergreen and pinecone wreaths and crocheted colorful afghans that still warm the beds of those who had the privilege of receiving them. Sue was also a member of Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church and its Christian Mothers and Women’s Guild, the Wreath of Free Eagles Lodge and the Croatian Club. She was the strength of her family and her kind heart and loving ways will live on in the memories of all the lives she touched. Sue leaves the gift of faith and memories to her four children, Jerome Petrus of Donora (her caretaker of many years), Bernard Petrus of Globe, Ariz., Mrs. Marlene (Charles) Berestecky of Maumee, Ohio, and Thomas (Helen) Petrus of Rostraver Township. She will be missed by her 11 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and eight great-great-grandchildren; her sister Mary Kassa of Donora; and many nieces and nephews. Mrs. Petrus was preceded in death by sisters, Ann Salsovic and Eva Brletich; six brothers, Frank, Joseph, William, John, Steven, and Paul; and a grandson, Michael Martin Berestecky. Arrangements are being handled by Anthony L. Massafra Funeral Home and Cremation Service Inc., 40 Second St. Ext., Donora, PA 15033, 724-379-6900, where the family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 7, 2019. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 8, 2019, in Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church, One Park Manor Road, Second St. Ext., Donora. Interment will follow at Saint Dominic Cemetery, Donora. Sue’s family requests that you remember her by honoring all people who enter the journey of your life with love, respect, kindness and compassion. Memorial contributions can be made to Our Lady of The Valley Catholic Church, Donora, in the name of Susan M. Petrus. To share a condolence, please visit www.massafrafuneralhome.com.