Laura Gontkon

Laura Petraitis Gontkon, 97, of Duquesne, died Thursday, March 10, 2016, at the Palms in McKeesport. She was born Aug. 17, 1918, in Duquesne, a daughter of the late Paul and Anna (Syrek) Neslanik. She, along with her first husband, Francis "Fritz" Petraitis, co-owned the Petraitis Cafe in Duquesne. She was an avid follower of the Pirates, Steelers and Penguins. She was a season ticket holder for the Pirates in the '40s and early '50s. She followed Duquesne High School football and basketball as a season ticket holder. She was also a devoted fan of Duke University basketball under coach, Mike Krzyzewski. She was also an avid pinochle player and in her youth was a professional accordionist, playing for many bands on the radio and taught many students. She was also a rubber band-duck pin bowler. Her major recreational activity was writing to people throughout the U.S. who were born in 1918. She had a list of more than 100 people to whom she wrote and became personal friends of many of them. She also worked for One Hour and Martinizing and Shrager Enterprises in Duquesne. She was the wife of the late Francis "Fritz" Petraitis and the late Andrew J. Gontkon; mother of Eugene (Marie) Petraitis, of Islip, N.Y.; sister of Audrey (late Joseph) Balawajder, of West Mifflin; and aunt of Todd (Clare) Balawajder, of Williamsburg, Va., and Gregg (Christine) Balawajder, of Montoursville, Pa. Visitation from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday, March 13, 2016, MALOY-SCHLEIFER FUNERAL HOME INC., 915 Kennedy Ave., Duquesne, 412-466-3300, William B. Schleifer, supervisor, William Brian Schleifer, funeral director. Blessing service at 9:30 a.m. Monday, March 14, 2016, at the funeral home, followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at St. Hedwig Church of Christ the Light of the World Parish with the Rev. Thomas Lewandowski officiating. Burial will be in St. Hedwig Cemetery, West Mifflin. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Lions Club International Foundation.

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