Mary Jane “MJ” (Totin) Popojas

Gilbert Funeral Home and Crematory

Obituaries | The Tube City Almanac | November 18, 2016

Mary Jane “MJ” (Totin) Popojas, 59, of McKeesport, died Monday, November 14, 2016. She was born in McKeesport, Pennsylvania on February 13, 1957 to Arlene and Ernest Totin. She lived in Coulter with her husband, Jeffrey Popojas, where they provided a loving and caring home for the many animals they raised. Their greatest joy came from raising Staffordshire Terriers for over 35 years as prominent members of the Amstaff community. Through her work with Amstaff, MJ made countless friends through a common bond over the humane and compassionate treatment of animals.

While her love of animals was great, it was secondary to the passion that went into her career. MJ graduated from Pennsylvania State University in 1993, receiving a bachelor’s degree in nursing. She worked as a hospital nurse at UPMC McKeeport from 1990 to 1995, specializing in pediatrics and oncology. With a desire to achieve more, she received a master’s in nursing in 2004 from the University of Pittsburgh as a Clinical Nurse Specialist. She became an associate professor at the Community College of Allegheny County in 2005 and was honored with tenure in 2012. Thereafter, she acted as a clinical instructor at UPMC McKeesport and course facilitator for CCAC’s nursing program.

While her accomplishments as a nurse were numerous, she was first and foremost an educator. She demanded the very best from her students as she demanded it from herself as a practitioner. MJ understood that the impression she made upon them would carry over to their future patients. The only acceptable standard was excellence because she understood attention to detail and diligence are paramount in the nursing field. She encouraged her students to ask the toughest question of themselves – am I providing the kind of care I would want for my family or myself? Compassionate and uncompromising, she was a true professional.
Although she left us too soon, she lives on through hundreds upon hundreds of nurses that care for us today. These nurses will say she was the toughest professor they had. They will also say she was the best. They’re right on both counts.
MJ is survived by her loving husband Jeffrey, mother Arlene Totin, brother Anthony Totin, niece Janelle DiNicola and countless extended family and friends that were proud of the life she lived. There is no visitation. Arrangements are by the Gilbert Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 1638 Lincoln Way, White Oak, (412) 672-6322 Troy J. Gilbert, Director. In lieu of flowers, donations should be made to CCAC Educational Foundation Scholarship-In Memory of MJ Popojas; Byers Hall Room 102, 808 Ridge Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15212. Condolences may be made at Gilbertfuneralhomeandcrematory.com

Originally published November 18, 2016.

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