Apr 10, 2013

Surrounded by the love, respect and admiration of all five of her children, Sara Jane Headley Ahwesh, 87, ascended into heaven Sunday, April 7, 2013, in Tidewell Bradenton Hospice House, Bradenton, Fla.

She was born August 23, 1925, in Brock, a daughter of Albert E. and Vada Lemley Headley and sister of Genevieve Headley Murray and James R. Headley, all of whom are deceased.

Her husband of 39 years, Mageed Ahwesh, died June 30, 1990.

Surviving are her greatest joys, her five children, Mrs. Elaine Ahwesh Frank (John Frank) of Springfield, Va., Mrs. Jean Ahwesh (Larry Kuremsky) of Wexford, Ms. Sally Ahwesh Russell of Elkins, W.Va., Mrs. Mary Beth Ahwesh Borroni (Frank Borroni) of College Station, Texas, and Michael Ahwesh (Carol Breeze) of Brandon, Fla.; 11 grandchildren, Justin Frank of Springfield, Julie Frank Stowell of Norfolk, Va., William Russell of Elkins, Michael Russell of Wickenburg, Ariz., Andrew Kuremsky of State College, Connor Kuremsky of Palo Alto, Calif., Capt. Philip Borroni of Boston, Mass., Lt. Elizabeth Borroni of Little Rock, Ark., Samuel Borroni of College Station and Khoury and Jacob Ahwesh of Brandon; and a great-granddaughter, Lilly Russell of Wickenburg.

Also surviving are sisters-in-law Ruth and May Ahwesh of McMurray and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Ahwesh graduated from Trinity High School in 1944 and Canonsburg Hospital School of Nursing in 1949. As a registered nurse, she practiced compassionately and with gentle strength for RCA in Meadow Lands, Canonsburg High School and South Hills Convalescent Center in McMurray.

She volunteered for the American Red Cross during natural disasters and for Meals on Wheels in Bradenton, helping her peers. She was dispatched anywhere in Manatee County, calming the nerves of the elderly, many of whom were younger than she.

An avid fan of the Tampa Bay Rays, she could quote any number of stats and standings of her favorite baseball team. She also made it a point to see the Pittsburgh Pirates at McKecknie Field every year. She enjoyed playing cards with good friends and family, baking and cooking and enjoyed watching her grandkids play ball.

Mrs. Ahwesh was an active member of Church of the Covenant in Washington for 50 years and Westminster Presbyterian Church in Bradenton for 30 years.

Friends will be received from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., the time of service, Saturday, April 13, in William G. Neal Funeral Homes Ltd., 925 Allison Avenue, Washington. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Tidewell Hospice, 5955 Rand Boulevard, Sarasota, FL 34238, or Church of the Covenant, 267 East Beau Street, Washington, PA 15301. Additional information and a guest book are available at www.NealFuneralHome.com.