Barbara Ann Bland Tzanakis – West Mifflin
Barbara Ann Bland Tzanakis, passed away on Friday, March 17, 2023. Barb, as she was more commonly known, was born July 28, 1933, in New Martinsville, W.Va., the youngest of two children born to Mary G. Tustin and John Leroy Bland. She graduated from Magnolia High School in Paden City, W.Va., in 1951 with her favorite classes being music and band. After high school, Barbara attended flight attendant training school for Capitol Airlines in busy New York City. She didn’t complete this, electing to come home to West Virginia to assist her mother and work for Sterling Faucet. She met and married George Tzanakis in 1957 and the couple moved to Morgantown, W.Va., so that George could complete his degree from WVU with Barb working for Olin Mathison. It was during this time that George and Barbara welcomed their first child, George Michael, in 1958. In 1965, Barb and George moved to Washington, Pa., and their second child, Mari Michele, was born and Barb became the homemaker, par excellence, taking care of two children and the house and meeting friends that became family to this day. With another job change, Barb, George and family moved to Troy, Mich., and with that change brought a new addition, the final addition to the family, Jon Matthew. In September of 1970, the family moved to their final home in West Mifflin. After Matthew began elementary school, Barb began working at Community College of Allegheny County — South Campus (CCAC) as an administrative assistant to the athletic department. She enjoyed this immensely and retired from this position with many happy memories and friends. Barb was the quintessential hostess and enjoyed appetizer nights at Applebee’s with friends, having good food, good conversation and a good “SoCo Manhattan on the rocks” with friends. Her greatest love was her family — enjoying time being able to be a mom and grandma. She enjoyed singing in the church choir and was active at one time in the Red Hat Society, Curves Group and the Wednesday afternoon Clairton Card Club. She is survived by her daughter, Mari Michele Tzanakis of West Mifflin; and son, George Michael (Barb) Tzanakis of Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin; three granddaughters, Nikki (Kody) Helland, Christine Tzanakis and Lisa Tzanakis; and three great-granddaughters, Harper Helland, Aubrey Helland and Tessa Helland. Family and friends are welcome at STRIFFLERS OF DRAVOSBURG/WEST MIFFLIN INC., 740 Pittsburgh-McKeesport Blvd., Dravosburg, PA 15034, 412-678-6192, from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 21, 2023, and from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 22, 2023, when services will be held. Burial will take place at Lebanon Church Cemetery.
