Stephanie A. (Meketa) Boyles

BOYLES (Meketa)- Stephanie A., 64 of Johnstown, passed away on April 2, 2018 at home due to issues associated with re-occurring pneumonia.  Born October 4, 1953 in Johnstown, the daughter of Mike and Eleanor (Zajdel) Meketa.  Preceded in death by parents and her loving cat Simba.  She is survived by sisters Lenore (Lenny) Meketa and Sandra Verhovsek of Johnstown, brothers Michael of Nanty Glo, William of Green Castle, David married to former Ginger Brown of New Florence, Matthew married to former Virginia (Ginny) Cauffiel of Johnstown.  She is also survived by nephews Michael, Matthew, Joshua, Luke, Devin and Mathias Meketa and Richard Cauffiel and nieces Kayla Meketa and Shyanna Kmett along with several great nieces and nephews, David Boyles, her fur baby Buttercup and her cherished friends Elizabeth Atkins-Brown and Betty Greer.  Stephanie was born with a rare birth defect called Moebius Syndrome and was legally blind, but she did not let this deter her from leading a full life.  Stephanie obtained her Nurses Aide certification and worked for many years in several nursing homes in Pittsburgh.  She also received her Associate Degree in Psychology at Allegheny Community College in Pittsburgh.  Health issues required her to return home to Johnstown to be near her family.  During Stephanie’s life she was an advocate for individuals with disabilities and the visually impaired. At times, taking on that role was not well received by many, but Stephanie did not let that stop her from speaking up and trying to make a difference.  Stephanie had a great sense of humor, loved to dance, especially to Trace Atkin’s -Honky Tonk Badonkadonk and she loved to talk and would make friends with total strangers.  We would like to thank Alleghenies Unlimited Care Providers (AUCP) who provided excellent care and support for over 14 years along with her loving care takers Elizabeth, Cathy and Carol who had become family to Stephanie.  We would also like to thank the Cambria County Association for the Blind and Handicapped for their constant support and services and to Dr. B. Maharajh for always providing exceptional care to our loving sister over these last 14 years.  Friends will be received from 2-8 p.m. Thursday at the Francis G. Ozog Funeral Home, 710 Broad Street, Johnstown. Funeral Mass will be held 10 a.m. Friday at St. John Gualbert Cathedral at 117 Clinton St. Johnstown with the Rev. James Crookston officiating.  Interment will occur at a later date with family.  In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to Nardecchia Spay and Neuter Fund at www.nardecchia.org or Role’s Claw Antics found on Facebook in memory of Stephanie.  Online condolences may be posted to www.fgozogfuneralhome.com. 

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