Nov 15, 2018

Ellena Knish, 91, of Washington, passed away peacefully Wednesday, November 14, 2018, in Donnell House, Washington.

She was born October 30, 1927, in Cherry Valley, a daughter of John and Annie Caleffe Stankavich.

She was a graduate of Burgettstown High School.

Throughout her life, she was always outgoing and friendly toward others and never knew a stranger.

Ellie, as she was affectionately known, was employed as a bank teller by Mellon Bank. She then took a job as a meat department clerk at the former Krogers grocery store and later at Foodland in Washington. She loved to interact with the many customers she came to know throughout her 40 years working at local grocery stores.

Mrs. Knish was a member of St. Hilary Roman Catholic Church, Washington, where she was active as a Eucharistic minister until age 80 and volunteered for the church fish fries.

For more than 20 years, she volunteered in Washington Hospital four days a week. In her spare time, she enjoyed gardening and working in her yard.

Ellie loved children and spending time with her family and enjoyed talking to others and working with the public.

On July 4, 1949, she married John “Sonny” Knish, who passed away in 2000.

Surviving are her daughter, Ellie (Ron) Petrie; granddaughter Jodi (Steve) Lech; and great-granddaughter Johni Sue Lech, all of Washington.

Also surviving are several nieces and nephews locally and in other areas of the country.

She was preceded in death by a brother, John Stankavich.

At Ellie’s request, there will be no public visitation. All are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday, November 17, in St. Hilary Roman Catholic Church, 320 Henderson Avenue, Washington. Interment will follow in Washington Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Donnell House, 10 Leet Street, Washington, PA 15301, or to Healing Journey at Allegheny Health Network on the web at www.supportahn.org/healing-journey.

Arrangements are in the care of DeAngelo Funeral Home, Washington. A tribute wall is available at www.deangelocare.com.