Elaine Schultz Port St. Lucie, Fla. – formerly of Charleroi

Elaine Schultz (née Kuchera), age 76, of Port St. Lucie, Fla., passed away on Dec. 24, 2022, on the eve of her most favorite holiday, surrounded by her family and great friends. Although sudden and unexpected, her last moments were filled with pure joy, laughing and joking with loved ones and watching the Pittsburgh Steelers, her favorite pastime (aside from watching Christmas movies on the Hallmark channel). Elaine was born on Sept. 1, 1946, in North Charleroi, the daughter of the late Frank Sr. and Margaret Dubinsky Kuchera. She attended Charleroi Senior High School and earned her nursing degree from the Washington Hospital School of Nursing. Her life was highlighted by her kindness and compassion. She began nursing at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and continued mending lives at various hospitals, including  Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore and Cedars Mount Sinai in Miami. While nursing and then as a flight attendant for American Airlines, Elaine was able to travel the world and make good friends abroad, and she encouraged her family to do the same. She was dutiful and dedicated and developed new friendships while working at St. Lucie West Medical Center until the time of her death. Her altruism and selflessness will not be forgotten by those she touched. In her free time, Elaine adored being surrounded by her husband, children and grandchildren. She attended many graduations, weddings, sports games, dance recitals, school events and never passed up an opportunity to babysit her beloved grandkids. Elaine was known for welcoming family and friends to her home for vacation or much needed respite. She was an ace at pool and a card shark, and she will always be remembered by those closest to her as the life of the party. She was truly the matriarch of her family — strong and supportive. Her pure positivity, calming presence and the warmth of her embrace will be missed dearly. Elaine is survived by her husband, Jack David Schultz Sr. of Washington, Pa.; and her three children, Thomas Patrick (Sommer) Stablein of Tampa, Fla., Kristin Margaret (Donna) Lavalle-Stablein of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and Mary Cathleen Stablein (Lawson) of Miami, Fla.; as well as her grandchildren, Marlena Rey, Sydni Reese, Ethan Tomas, Brooke Erin, Palmer Thomas, Sommer Savoy, Sawyer Layne and Sayler Loren; her stepchildren, Jack David (Sharon) Schultz Jr. of Bellevue, Wash., Brian Charles Schultz of South Park, Pa., Cathy Ann (Schultz) Duchess of Canonsburg, Pa.; grandchildren, Victoria, Valerie, Jack David III (J.D.), Wray, Veronica, Christian and Vanessa; and great-grandchildren, Kameron and Maria. She is also survived by her brother, Frank (Judith) Kuchera Jr. of Washington, Pa.; nephew, Michael (Ann Marie) Kuchera of Pittsburgh, Pa.; grandnephews, Ian and Will; and many extended family members in and around the Mon Valley. Elaine’s friends and loved ones are invited to a celebration of her life from noon to 4 p.m. Jan. 16, 2023, at 5300 N. Ocean Drive Blvd., Sea Ranch Lakes, FL 33308. Donations to the American Nurses Foundation in honor of Elaine’s memory are appreciated, https://www.nursingworld.org/foundation/donate/ (“Make a Memorial or Tribute Gift”).