Jeanne Louise (Simoni) Sirko

Jeanne Louise Simoni Sirko, 96, of Center Township, peacefully passed away at her home.  She was the last surviving member of the Serafino and Anatolia (Refice) Simoni Family.  Jeanne was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Richard Simoni, Arnold Simoni, Emilio Simoni, Dundee Simoni, her sisters Antoinette D’Annibale, Mary Salvati, Nellie Deutsch, and Alice Hamilton. 

Born July 16, 1928 in Aliquippa, PA,  Jeanne graduated from Hopewell High School where she met and eventually married her High School Sweetheart, Charles Sirko Jr, and later earned a BS in Art Education from Edinboro State Teachers College and a Master’s from the University of Pittsburgh.  In her youth, she was active as a cheerleader and athlete, playing Field Hockey, archery, and basketball in college, and loved to dance.

Jeanne taught art for over 35 years in the Hopewell and Center Township school districts, founded the Scarab Club, and remained a mentor to many students. She was a passionate artist, specializing in portraits, landscapes, and abstracts, and was a former president of the Beaver Valley Artists Association. She remained a mentor and friend to many of her former students who respectfully called her “Mrs. Sirko”.

She loved life and nature and all the beauty that surrounded it, which was reflected in much of her artwork.

Jeanne was preceded in Death by her husband, Charles Sirko Jr., and is survived by her two children, Daughter, Cindy Sirko, and Son, Charles L. Sirko and wife Jacqueline, Grandchildren Simone Leitner, Matt Sirko (estranged), Jeff Sirko (estranged), Step-Grandson Erik Fugunt and wife Jennifer, as well as great grandchildren Mila, Wolfgang and Weston Fugunt, along with numerous beloved nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, great-grandnieces and great-grandnephews who called her “Aunt Jeanne”.

We would like to thank the love and caring from her family and friends who were the joy of her life. We especially thank Rachel Miller for the wonderful caregiving and friendship she gave to Jeanne during her last years.

Friends will be received on Thursday May 1, 2025 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. in the DARROCH MEMORIAL CHAPEL, 2640 Mill St., Aliquippa, where a service will be conducted on Friday May 2, 2025 at 10:30 a.m.  Entombment will follow in Mt. Olivet Catholic Cemetery.

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