Who Did Pittsburgh Lose This Week? Recent Obituaries
Each Sunday, the Pittsburgh Post‑Gazette publishes a list of lives that have quietly slipped away, and the community feels the ripple of every loss. While some names echo familiar headlines, others belong to everyday heroes whose stories deserve a moment of recognition. Below, we highlight a handful of those recently memorialized, offering a snapshot of the lives that shaped our neighborhoods, schools, churches, and workplaces.
Long‑time Educators Who Shaped Young Minds
Marion “Moe” Hartwell, 78 – A beloved middle‑school math teacher at Westinghouse Middle, she taught for over three decades. Former students recall her habit of slipping a small note of encouragement into exam packets: “You’ve got this.” Her retirement party featured a handmade quilt made from scraps of old lesson plans.
James “Jim” Larkin, 84 – Head of the vocational‑training program at the Community College of Allegheny County, Larkin pioneered the first auto‑mechanic apprenticeship that still runs today. Colleagues say his workshop doors were always open, even after he officially stepped down.
Faith Leaders Who Guided Their Flocks
Reverend Dr. Eleanor S. Whitaker, 72 – The pastor of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Whitaker was known for her weekly “Coffee & Conversation” mornings that welcomed anyone, regardless of creed. Her annual charity drive raised over $30,000 for local homeless shelters.
Imam Khalid Al‑Rashid, 66 – Serving the Masjid Al‑Huda since 1995, Al‑Rashid organized interfaith dialogues that helped bridge cultural gaps after the 9/11 attacks. Neighbors remember his annual iftar meals that filled the community center to the brim.
Local Business Owners Who Kept Main Street Alive
Carla “C.J.” Jennings, 61 – Owner of “Jennings’ Deli” on the South Side, her pastrami sandwich became a city staple. When a flood threatened her storefront in 2018, volunteers rallied to dry out the kitchen, and she reopened within weeks.
Thomas “Tommy” Russo, 58 – The craftsman behind “Rustic Rail,” a custom furniture shop in Lawrenceville, Russo blended reclaimed steel with reclaimed wood, creating pieces that now grace many downtown lofts. His workshop doubled as an apprenticeship space for young carpenters.
Artists and Cultural Contributors
Lisa “Lil” Fernandes, 44 – A muralist whose vibrant pieces brightened the walls of the Hill District, Fernandes’ work often celebrated African‑American heritage. Her last project, a 30‑foot mural of a jazz saxophonist, was completed just weeks before her passing.
Samuel “Sam” Byers, 71 – A jazz pianist who performed nightly at the historic Club Café in the Strip District. Byers’ improvisational style attracted both locals and tourists, and he mentored countless young musicians through free Saturday lessons.
Public Servants Who Served Behind the Scenes
Margaret “Maggie” O’Neil, 82 – A retired city clerk known for her meticulous record‑keeping, O’Neil helped streamline the permit process, cutting wait times by nearly half. Former colleagues describe her as “the quiet engine that kept the city moving.”
Detective Luis Martinez, 59 – With a career spanning 35 years in the Pittsburgh Police Department, Martinez earned commendations for community policing initiatives that reduced neighborhood crime rates. He also taught self‑defense classes at local community centers.
Unsung Heroes of Everyday Life
- Helen Chu, 67 – A volunteer driver for the senior‑transport program, Chu logged over 5,000 miles ferrying elders to medical appointments.
- Mark “Sparky” Davenport, 53 – The kindly crossing guard at Fourth Avenue and Bellefield, who greeted children with a joke and a smile each morning.
- Ruth Alvarez, 76 – A longtime librarian at the West End branch, Alvarez curated a popular “Storytime for Seniors” series that drew dozens of participants weekly.
Why Remembering Matters
Obituaries are more than notices of death; they are brief biographies that capture a person’s impact on the fabric of the city. When a name appears in the Post‑Gazette’s loss column, it prompts us to pause, reflect, and perhaps reach out to someone who shared a connection.
Many of the individuals listed above left tangible legacies—classrooms still echo with their lessons, murals still inspire passersby, and community programs they founded continue to thrive. Their contributions remind us that each of us, in some small way, adds a thread to Pittsburgh’s ever‑evolving tapestry.
Ways to Honor Their Memory
If you feel called to pay tribute, consider these simple gestures:
- Share a favorite story or photo on social media, tagging the Pittsburgh Post‑Gazette so others can join the remembrance.
- Donate to a cause that was close to the departed’s heart—a scholarship fund, a local shelter, or an arts program.
- Volunteer a few hours a month at an organization they supported, turning grief into constructive action.
In the end, the names we mourn become part of a collective memory that sustains the community. By recalling the lives of those we’ve lost, we keep their spirits alive in the everyday moments of Pittsburgh.
