Emily Quindilia Zboyovsky – Monessen

Emily Quindilia Zboyovsky, 83, of Monessen, passed away on Dec. 22, 2022, following a short illness. She was given last rites by Father Mathew King of Assumption Catholic Church in Jacksonville, Fla., and was surrounded by her children and grandchildren and blanketed by the many, many prayers of her friends and family. She was a member of Epiphany of Our Lord Catholic Parish in Monessen. She loved our Lord and had a special miraculous relationship with the Blessed Mother. Emily was born July 14, 1939, to the late Tony and Francis Mauro Chiaravalle of Monessen. She graduated from Monessen High School in 1958. She was married to the late Edward George Zboyovsky and had five children, Barbara, George, Edward, Tony and Jessica. Emily’s talents and accomplishments are too numerous to list. Being the humble person that she was, she would never speak of them, primarily due to the fact she was always “boasting” about her children’s and grandchildren’s accomplishments. She was so very proud of them all. We hope she knew how very proud we all are of her. The following is only a fraction of the things Emily accomplished. After high school, Emily worked at the former JC Penney in Monessen, where she excelled at sales and would no doubt be running that company now if it weren’t for God choosing the path of homemaker and mother. In addition to being an excellent mother and supporting wife, she was a community activist and was always championing some cause. There are too many to list, but one that stands out was her fight to get busing for those children who attended Monessen Catholic Schools. She was also a true entrepreneur by definition and started numerous businesses, with many of the ideas and businesses being ahead of their time. Before GNC, there was Emily’s health store. Before there was Game Stop, Emily sold video games out of her used furniture store. When she learned that some students from Monessen could not afford tuition at Mon Valley Catholic, she decided to start a used clothing store (Like Nu), using proceeds to offset tuition costs. We can’t forget about Chiaravalle’s Pizza that she started with her brother, Ron Chiaravalle, (still the best pizza ever). After her husband died unexpectedly 42 years ago, leaving her to raise five young children alone, she refused to take any government aid and instead went back to school and obtained her real estate license and eventually her broker’s license. She loved selling houses more for the fact she was able to help those obtain a house through her knowledge of lending programs than for any profit. Emily was also a keen political strategist. She served as campaign manager for her son’s two successful elections to Monessen City Council. As a result of her late husband’s service in the Marines and two of her sons serving in the Navy, she also went on to assist many widows of veterans with obtaining benefits through the Veterans Administration. Following her retirement from selling real estate, Emily continued to focus on helping those who could not help themselves. Around this time of year, it would not be uncommon to see her ringing the bell for the Salvation Army. She also loved driving for Meals on Wheels and 412 Food Rescue. Two of her recent projects were the creation of a nonprofit organization associated with assisting widows of veterans. An idea for a development of small houses for either homeless veterans or senior citizens was in the works. Her pride and joy came from being a mother and then Nana. She was able to work into any conversation her five children she raised, mostly as a single parent, and how many college degrees they have between them and how successful they have become. She was our greatest cheerleader and inspiration. The words “I can’t” were not in her vocabulary and she would remind anyone of this when she was helping them with anything they may be going through. She was also an author who began writing her memoirs in her late 70s. She loved spending time with her family with some highlights being trips. She loved country music and especially the great Patsy Cline. She also loved the Pittsburgh Pirates and loved attending games and was thrilled to attend spring training in Florida. She was confident that one of her children or grandchildren would end up owning the Pirates one day. Her greatest gift was passing on her Italian traditions and heritage to her children and teaching them how to make homemade sauce with pasta, like gnocchi and ravioli every Sunday. Emily immediately lit up any room she would enter and touched the lives of so many people. Her love and example have transformed the lives of many she encountered. She just loved to help others and had the ability to make everyone she came across feel like the most important person in the world. It was not unusual for there to be one or two or three strangers show up for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner after hearing they may be alone. Emily loved to make food and eat food. For being such a tiny person, she rarely left anything on her plate. It is incredibly difficult to sum up the impact and influence a mother has on her children and those Emily came in contact with during her life. This time of year, we watch “It’s a Wonderful Life” and as with the movie, the world would not have been as bright without Emily in it. Emily moved at her own carefree pace. It didn’t matter if it was going to a wedding or graduation, she would get there when she got there. We believe she just wanted to make every moment last as long as possible. She always focused on the journey, not the destination. She loved her own wonderful life, and we can all honor her by slowing down a bit and taking time to enjoy the journey and being kind to each other. Mom, your story is written and life fulfilled. Without a doubt, it is a best seller. Emily was also preceded in death by her brothers, Bernie Chiaravalle, Tony Chiaravalle and Ron Chiaravalle. She is survived by her brother, Joseph Chiaravalle and sister-in-law Lorraine Chiaravalle of Smithton; sister-in-law, Doris Chiaravalle of Santa Rosa, Calif.; sister-in-law, Narcisa Chiaravalle, Las Vegas, Nev.; as well as her daughters, Barbara (John) Connolly of Fernandina Beach, Fla., and Jessica (Ryan) Miller of Apple Valley, Minn.; and three sons, George (Michelle) Zboyovsky of Brentwood, Edward (Christine) Zboyovsky of Monessen and Anthony (Kelly) Zboyovsky of Greenville, N.C.; as well as her grandchildren, Dominic, Bennett, Quenten, Rielle and Tyler; her very good friend, Mathew Loftus of Monessen; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and of course her furry grandkids. Family and friends will be able to say goodbye from 1 to 3 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 30, 2022, at RHOME FUNERAL HOME, 1209 Grand Blvd., Monessen, PA 15062, 724-684-4061. A Catholic Mass will be held at Epiphany of Our Lord Parish in Monessen beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 31, 2022. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Salvation Army, an organization Emily felt strongly about, https://give.salvationarmyusa.org/.