Hundreds line streets to honor Brewster-Filotei

By JEFF STITT

jstitt@yourmvi.com

Hundreds of mourners lined the streets of McKeesport in three locations Friday to bid farewell to a beloved teacher and McKeesport councilwoman.

Jamie Brewster-Filotei, a mother and wife, McKeesport council’s vice president, the daughter of state Sen. Jim Brewster and his wife Linda and a recently retired McKeesport Area School District elementary school teacher of 24 years, passed away Tuesday at age 46 following a lengthy battle with non-small cell lung carcinoma, a form of cancer.

Even though Allegheny County has been moved to the yellow phase of the state’s reopening plan, coronavirus pandemic restrictions still prevented teachers and her former students, constituents, municipal and MASD colleagues and neighbors from attending Brewster-Filotei’s funeral service Friday at Willig Funeral Home in McKeesport.

The Brewster and Filotei families extended an invitation via social media to allow the public to join the procession of cars that ushered Brewster-Filotei to her final resting place at Mt. Vernon Cemetery in Elizabeth. They were given instructions to stay in their cars and not enter the funeral home or approach the grave site during burial services.

Determined to salute Brewster-Filotei’s memory, MASD teachers, students, alumni, administrators and school board directors, members of city council, city hall employees, Sen. Brewster’s McKeesport office staff, first responder departments and area residents — some of whom were wearing face masks —  lined the sidewalks of Eden Park Boulevard in front of McKeesport High School, Fifth Avenue in front of City Hall and Lysle Boulevard in front of the Public Safety Building, which is the location of McKeesport council chambers and Sen. Brewster’s office.

Many were adorned in McKeesport Tigers red and blue and waved American flags or released blue and red balloons to greet the hearse and car processional, which was composed of at least 160 cars including more than a dozen first responder vehicles from municipalities in Sen. Brewster’s district.

“It’s so touching to look at the love and support the community is showing right now,” MASD board Director Diane Elias said. “Jamie was loved by everyone and was such a great teacher to so many of these kids who are out here today.”

“I think this is a great outpouring of support from Jamie’s colleagues and her former students,” board President Joe Lopretto said. “I am truly honored to be a part of organizing this to pay tribute to Jamie’s memory.”