Harriet Marie Gurska, 71

HERMITAGE, PA. – Harriet Marie Gurska, 71, of 3634 Mt. Hickory Blvd., passed away at 10:18 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13, at the UPMC Horizon Hospital in Farrell, Pa., after a courageous eight-year battle with cancer.
Harriet was born Aug. 23, 1935 in Erie, Pa., a daughter of the late John J. Quinn and Harriet Marie Parke Quinn.
She was an alumna of Villa Maria High School, Erie, and the Columbus (Ohio) College of Art and Design.
Earlier in her life, she was a fashion illustrator for the former Livingston and Strauss’ department stores. She was a well-known local artist and sculptor who worked with many different mediums, including wood, bronze and oil and watercolors. She was an exceptionally talented artist and her works can be found in many homes and businesses throughout the valley.
She was a member of the Mahoning County (Ohio) Woodcarvers Association. She was a member of the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Farrell, and was a former active member of the Church of the Good Shepherd in West Middlesex, Pa., where she was a money counter and a member and past president of the Altar and Rosary Society. Active in the community, she was a volunteer for Meals-On-Wheels in Sharon, Pa., Prince of Peace Center in Farrell, and John XXIII Home in Hermitage. She was also an avid golfer and a longtime member of the former Sharon Country Club, where she was a six-time club champion of the Ladies 18-hole league.
She was a kind and giving individual who was a great friend to many.
A devoted wife and mother, she leaves her husband at home, Richard J. “Dick” Gurska, whom she married Aug. 24, 1974; two daughters, Cynthia Marie Fulcher and Catherine Ann Gurska, and a son, David G. Gurska and his wife Gina, all of Hermitage; a stepdaughter, Patricia Neuman of Woodbury, Minn.; a stepson, Richard J. “Dick” Gurska and his wife Karen of Gibbon, Minn.; three sisters, Sally Quinn and Margaret “Peggy” Kelsey and her husband Fred, all of Erie, and her twin, Marian Perantoni and her husband Robert of San Leandro, Calif.; a brother, John J. Quinn of Erie; nine grandchildren, Robbie, Mary and Danny Gurska, David, Brandy and Lindsay Fulcher, Lexy and Matt Gurska, and Anthony Neuman; a brother-in-law, Gustav Gurska of Cincinnati; and several nieces and nephews.
The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Prince of Peace Center, 502 Darr Ave., Farrell, PA 16121, or Meals-On-Wheels, in care of Christ Lutheran Church, 396 Buhl Blvd., Sharon, PA 16146.
Calling hours will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 1090 E. State St.
A memorial Mass will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at the Church of the Good Shepherd, 3613 Sharon Road, West Middlesex, Pa. with Msgr. Salvatore P. Mitchell as celebrant.
Arrangements are by the J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc.
Friends may visit McGonigleFuneralHome@verizon.net to email condolences.