Jean (Guadagni Horner) Popp

Jean (Guadagni) Horner Popp

“Busy People Get Things Done”

Jean Popp, age 82, of Canonsburg passed away on Thursday, May 5, 2016, at Allegheny General Hospital surrounded by her loving family.

Born on March 16, 1934, she was the daughter of the late Mary Babyak (Guadagni) Horner and Dominic Guadagni. She was also the step-daughter of the late John Frederick ‘Fred’ Horner.

She was proud to be a graduate of Canonsburg High School and the Class of 1952.

On November 4, 1951, she married the love of her life, Zolton Joseph Popp, her devoted husband, who died on March 6, 2012.

Surviving are her four children: Marsha (Cory) Lane of Canonsburg, Kevin Popp of Washington, John (Lauren) Popp of Washington, and Leslie (Rodney) Yarbor of Washington; eleven grandchildren: Jennifer (Brad) Ring, Jaclyn Smith, Brian Lane, Jenna Dorazio, Jessica Dorazio, Madison Popp, Savannah Popp, Cory (Emily) Lane, Jr., Bill Naumoff, Mike Naumoff, and Tyler Hauzner; and three great-grandchildren: Kaden Ring, Tyler Ring, and Lucy Lane. She also leaves behind a sister, Marilyn Horner (Ed) Malinowski of Canonsburg; a brother, Terry (Donna) Guadagni of McKeesport; and many dear family members and friends.

Deceased besides her parents and husband are a sister, Sharon Anne Horner, and a granddaughter who died in infancy, Hannah Popp.

Mrs. Popp worked for many employers during her lifetime. She was first a shoe clerk at S&S Shoes in Canonsburg and then for Kaufmann’s Department Store in Pittsburgh. Leaving sales for a short time, she worked at the RCA plant in Meadowlands, but returned to selling shoes at Teek’s Fine Shoes both in Washington and Washington Mall. She was promoted into a managerial position at Teek’s Fine Shoes in Steubenville, Ohio, and later became the manager of Mr. Lee’s Shoes in the Franklin Mall. Next she took a job in sales with Sears. Her last job was with Gaydos Monument Company in Canonsburg. She truly loved sales and working with the public.

 A devout Catholic, she was a member of St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church in Canonsburg where she served for a time on the parish council and was a member of The Christian Mothers.

She was an active member of her community which she treasured. She gave her “heart and soul” to many organizations in and around Canonsburg. She was a member of the Canonsburg Italian-American Association and the Canonsburg BPW, serving on its board for twenty years. She also served on the Jefferson College Historical Society and was a member of the Log Cabin School Restoration Committee. In addition, she served on the Canonsburg Hospital Lifeline Committee, the Friends of the Greater Canonsburg Library, the Canonsburg Bicentennial Committee, Canonsburg’s Democratic Women’s Society, the Chartiers Creek Watershed Committee, the Washington County Cultural Trust – The Roberts House board of directors, and Friends of the Park. As a member of the Greater Canonsburg Heritage Society’s Perry Como committee, she provided “a voice for Perry” twice by donating a sound system to accompany the Como statue. While a member of the Canonsburg Merchants Association, she planned “Breakfast with Santa Claus” for twenty years. Also, she served on the Canonsburg Hospital Emergency Room Committee, a member of the fund-raising board, and as a member of both the Eagles Lodge and VFW Post #191. It was through her inspiration and effort that the Washington County Community Youth Center was established at the Girl Scout House in Canonsburg. In addition, it was through her initiative that the “Concerts in the Park” program at Canonsburg Town Park was created. She and her committee were responsible for the building of the stage and storage building at the park to facilitate the concerts program which has been an annual summer event since 1996.

Along with being a part of all these organizations and committees, she served Canonsburg for 20 years as a member of the Borough Council where she represented the First Ward 3-4, and held the position of Board President for one term.  Escorted by her husband, annually she represented the council by riding in the Canonsburg Fourth of July Parade. She will always be remembered dressed in “red, white, and blue”, smiling widely, and waving enthusiastically as she called out “God Bless America!”

Because of her many community efforts, she was recognized with the following awards and distinctions: Exceptional Councilwoman (1994) by Special Court judges- presented by Senior Justice Walter Mark; Central Chartiers Valley Chamber of Commerce Exemplary Citizen (1995); Senatorial Commendation for Community Service, presented by Senator Michael Fisher (1996); South Hills Quad Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year nominee ( 1996 &1997); and a Certificate of Achievement from Allegheny County Board of Commissioners (1997).

Her legacy will live on in Canonsburg as passersby read the sign Canonsburg Council commissioned and which her husband , a skilled bricklayer erected, in the Gateway Gardens which she established on Adams Avenue in Canonsburg and where she was often seen planting and weeding. The sign welcomes all to Canonsburg, “America’s Small Town Music Capital.” It is a fitting tribute to her tireless community service and for the love she had for Canonsburg and its people.

Friends are welcome from 2-4 and 6-8 PM on Saturday, May 7, 2016 and from 1-6 PM on Sunday, May 8, 2016 in Salandra Funeral and Cremation Services, Inc., Joseph P. Salandra owner/supervisor, Lin Webb funeral director, 304 West Pike Street, Canonsburg 724-745-8120 where departing prayers will begin at 9:30 AM on Monday, May 9, 2016.  A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10:00 AM in St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church, 317 West Pike Street, Canonsburg.  Interment will follow in St. Patrick Cemetery, Canonsburg.

The Canonsburg BPW will perform a memorial service beginning at 6:00 PM on Saturday.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations may be made to Friends of Canonsburg Town Park, c/o Canonsburg Borough, 68 East Pike Street, Canonsburg, PA 15317 or at www.canonsburgboro.com.