Theresa's sister, Angela Kowal graduated in the St. Francis Hospital School of Nursing Class of 1940.

HUSBAND'S OBITUARY: Amel V. Dobradenka, 87, of Brackenridge, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2008, in Alle-Kiski Medical Center, Allegheny Valley Hospital, Natrona Heights, with his family by his side. He was born Sept. 21, 1921, in Leechburg, the son of the late Alexander and Pauline Pagac Dobradenka. Amel was a 1940 graduate of Leechburg High School. He retired in 1985 as sales manager after 40 years of service at LaRusse Distributing in Tarentum. Amel was a member of Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament Roman Catholic Parish, Most Blessed Sacrament Church in Natrona Heights, Knights of Columbus Council 2602 in Natrona, where he was a 4th degree member and past grand knight, Eagles and Moose in New Kensington, Elks and Jednota in Tarentum and Brackenridge Heights Country Club in Natrona Heights. He enjoyed traveling and spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Theresa A. Kowal Dobradenka; daughter, Karen (John) Godfrey, of Natrona Heights; grandson, John Patrick Godfrey, of Brackenridge and his fiancee, Shannon Floyd; three great-grandchildren, Chase Godfrey, Payton Godfrey and Mason Smith; two stepgreat-grandchildren, Katlyn Smith and Nolan Loskoch; and his grandson-in-law, Jason Smith, of Brackenridge. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Kelly Godfrey Smith; great-grandson, Gabriel John Smith; brothers, Joseph, Matthew and Vincent Dobradenka; and his sisters, Betty Stevenson and Grace LaRusse. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 9 p.m. Friday in the CICHOLSKI-ZIDEK FUNERAL HOME INC., 1522 Carlisle St., Natrona Heights, 724-224-8688, where a blessing service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday. Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11:30 a.m. in Most Blessed Sacrament Church. Burial will be in St. Mary Cemetery, Lower Burrell. The Knights of Columbus will hold services at 6:30 p.m. Friday in the funeral home. Contributions in memory of Amel may be made to Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament School, 800 Montana Ave., Natrona Heights, PA 15065. -- Published in The Valley News Dispatch on Oct. 10, 2008.

OBITUARY: Theresa A. "Gigi" (Kowal) Dobradenka, 90, of Brackenridge, passed away peacefully Friday, Oct. 9, 2020, in Allegheny Valley Hospital, Natrona Heights. She was born Jan. 16, 1930, in Arnold, a daughter of the late Gregory and Catherine (Klinkiewicz) Kowal. Terry was a graduate of Arnold High School and the St. Francis School of Nursing. She worked as a Special Burn Unit Nurse for Drs. Rugh and Chesko during the 1950s and 1960s. She retired in the 1980s as a head nurse in unit 2D at Allegheny Valley Hospital. Terry was a member of Guardian Angels Parish, Most Blessed Sacrament Church in Natrona Heights. She was a member and past president of the Civic Club and the Business and Professional Women's Club and was also a member of the Chamber of Commerce. Terry enjoyed vacationing with her late husband at Myrtle Beach, S.C., and Las Cruces, N.M, and judging the Miss New Mexico Beauty Pageant. She had a special bond with her "favorite" son-in-law, John, grandson Pat and his wife, Shannon, and for the love of her last nine years, her buddy and youngest great- grandson, Zander. Terry also enjoyed her family at Bayberry Place, Lower Burrell, where she resided the past year. She is survived by her daughter, Karen (John) Godfrey, of Natrona Heights; grandson, John Patrick (Shannon) Godfrey, with whom she resided; and great-grandchildren, Chase Godfrey, Payton Godfrey, Nolan Loskoch, Mason Smith, Katlyn (James) Pertinaci and Zander Godfrey. In addition to her parents, Terry was preceded in death by her husband, Amel V. Dobradenka, on Oct. 8, 2008; granddaughter, Kelly (Godfrey) Smith; brothers, John, Rev. Michael, Andrew, Case, Francis, Joseph and Adam Kowal; and by her sisters, Angela Dudek, Marie Kowal and Anna Malik. Friends will be received from 3 to 8 p.m. Monday in the CICHOLSKI-ZIDEK FUNERAL HOME, INC., 1522 Carlisle St., Natrona Heights, 724-224-8688. Services for Terry will be private. Burial will be in St. Mary Cemetery, Lower Burrell.