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Barbara Ann Bland Tzanakis

Obituaries | The Tube City Almanac | March 19, 2023

Barbara Ann Bland Tzanakis, Barb, as she was more commonly known, of West Mifflin, died Friday, March 17, 2023 and was born July 28, 1933 in New Martinsville, West Virginia. The youngest of two children born to Mary G. Tustin and John Leroy Bland. She graduated from Magnolia High School in Paden City, West Virginia in 1951 with her favorite classes being music and band. After high school, Barbara attended flight attendant training school for Capitol Airlines in busy NYC. She didn’t complete this, electing to come home to West Virginia to assist her mother, and work for Sterling Faucet. She met and married George Tzanakis in 1957 and the couple moved to Morgantown, W.VA, so that George could complete his degree from WVU with Barb working for Olin Mathison. It was during this time that George and Barbara welcomed their first child, George Michael in 1958.

In 1965, Barb and George moved to Washington, PA and their second child, Mari Michele was born and Barb became the homemaker, par excellence’, taking care of two children and house and meeting friends that became family to this day. With another job change, Barb, George, and family moved to Troy, Michigan and with that change brought a new addition, the final addition to the family, Jon Matthew. In September of 1970, the family moved to their final home in West Mifflin, PA. After Matthew began elementary school, Barb began working at Community College of Allegheny County- South Campus- (CCAC) as an Administrative Assistant to the Athletic Department. She enjoyed this immensely and retired from this position with many happy memories and friends. Barb was the quintessential hostess and enjoyed appetizer nights at Applebee’s with friends, having good food, good conversation, and a good “SoCo Manhattan on the rocks” with friends. Her greatest love was her family --enjoying time being able to be a Mom and Grandma. She enjoyed singing in the church choir and was active at one time, in the Red Hat Society, Curves Group, and the Wednesday afternoon Clairton Card Club. She is survived by her daughter, Mari Michele Tzanakis of West Mifflin, and son, George Michael (Barb) Tzanakis of Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin; three granddaughters, Nikki (Kody) Helland, Christine Tzanakis, Lisa Tzanakis, and three great-granddaughters, Harper Helland, Aubrey Helland, and Tessa Helland. Family and friends are welcome at Strifflers of Dravosburg/West Mifflin, Inc., 740 Pittsburgh-McKeesport Blvd., Dravosburg, PA 15034 (412 678 6192) on Tuesday, March 21, 2023 from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and Wednesday, March 22, 2023 from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. when services will be held. Burial will take place at Lebanon Church Cemetery. To share a memory or condolence, please visit www.strifflerfuneralhomes.com

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Originally published March 19, 2023.

Other deaths:
"Rita C. Jaso" || "Kenneth J. Nemes"