Obituary

Abbie Rose (DuPell) Baranowsky, 89, passed away on July 4, 2021. She was born on July 20, 1931, on Stoops Ferry Road, Moon Township, PA, and lived her entire life on the same acre. Abbie, known affectionately as Ma by her family and friends and as Gabby by her sisters, was the third daughter of the late Ayers Gardner and Bessie (Hays) DuPell.

After graduating from Moon High School in 1949 she had to wait a bit to wed Charles Baranowsky (aka Chuck, Pa), her first crush from seventh grade. Chuck  graduated from Moon in 1950 after falling behind due to a bout of rheumatic fever when they were in junior high. Abbie was a particularly good student. She contributed this entry to the 1949 Flame yearbook in a section where seniors bequeathed something to the following year’s graduates:

“I, Abbie Rose DuPell, do hereby leave my shorthand fountain pen, fully equipped with an unbreakable point and guaranteed to write the correct outlines, to Charles Baranowsky. This pen also possesses the good habit of going to class with its owner every day.”

It appears she was determined to get a cap and gown on her sweetheart and a diploma in his hand with no further delay. They were married September 29, 1951, together 64 years at the time of his passing in 2015.

Abbie Rose worked for the American Cancer Society in Pittsburgh for several years before and after marrying Chuck. Her twin boys arrived in 1958 and kept her busy at home until they were toddlers. She then worked at the A&P in Coraopolis. Abbie managed to take some time off from her jobs to accompany  Chuck all over the US on adventures related to his employment (space launches in Florida!) and to seek out vintage cars to haul home to restore. A trip to Hawaii was a favorite. After her sons were grown, Abbie Rose spent many years working for Sewickley Valley Hospital (now Heritage Valley) collecting garage parking fees in the “little booth” and then went onto patient registration from where she then retired from, and is remembered by people who may not have known her name but who would recognize her face when they saw her around the local towns.

Abbie was a talented and skilled seamstress, something she learned at the knee of her professional seamstress grandmother, Abbie DuPell, for whom she was named. She designed and sewed her own wedding gown, complete with pearl buttons down the back, and created many beautiful clothes for herself and family. She had a knack for decorating incredible cakes and a green thumb for growing flowers of all types. For many years she had a pool and loved to swim, and she never missed an opportunity to try her luck at the slots at Mountaineer Casino.

In addition to her parents and husband, Abbie Rose is preceded in death by two sisters, Helen Kimberling, and Jeanne Belmonte. She is survived by her sons Craig (Carol) and Gregg (Karen Garland) Baranowsky, both of Clinton; grandchildren Heather, Jason, and Matthew Baranowsky; great-granddaughter Raelynn; several nieces and nephews and their families; and her crazy cat, Bozo. Her infectious laugh will no longer ring out on Stoops Ferry Road but the family and friends who loved her will surely never forget it.

GABAUER-LUTTON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, INC.-117 Blackhawk Road, Chippewa Township, www.gabauerfamilyfuneralhomes.com will provide end of life services. At the family’s request, there will be no viewing.