Obituary for Rebecca A. Gonda (Waytenick)
Rebecca A. Waytenick Gonda, 60, of Greene Township, passed away peacefully surrounded by family and friends on Wednesday March 1, 2023 at UPMC Hamot. She was born in Jamestown, NY on March 16, 1962 a daughter of Leonard V. Waytenick and the late Betty A. Wurst Waytenick.
Rebecca graduated from McDowell High School and went on to graduate from Robert Morris University. She worked in Human Resources and the purchasing department at FMC Smith Meter, where she met her husband, until adult-onset asthma ended her career. She was a member of Glenwood United Methodist Church, the St. Boniface Ushers Club, AARP and ABATE of PA. She enjoyed volunteering at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center and Because You Care. She loved birds, wildlife, and her Thursday Night Girls. She was known for her thoughtful gifts, homemade cards, her kind, fun spirit and positive attitude. Her love of plants could be seen throughout her house.
In addition to her mother she was preceded in death by her grandson, Luke Gonda; her nephew, Christopher Stidham; and her dog, Sebastian.
In addition to her father, survivors include her husband, Thomas Gonda; two sisters, Laurel Hutchins (Wesley) of Millcreek and Lisa Mitchell (Greg) of Erie; her twin brother, William R. Waytenick of Millcreek; her "bonus children", Kris (Rebecca), Bradley (Kristin), Nicole (Paul), and Carey; her “bonus grandchildren”, Brett, Jacob, Brady, Emillie, Wyatt, Evin, Ryleigh, Hunter, and Madalyn; three sisters in law, Helen Young (Dennis) of Montana, Patricia DeMore of San Jose, CA, and Jan Newell (Robin) of Glacier Bay, CA; one brother in law, Al Gonda (Sheryl) of La Mesa, CA; her dog, Leo; and many nieces and nephews.
She will be sorely missed by family and friends. She had worked on several bucket lists over the years including travel, hot air ballooning, whale watching, owning and riding a Harley, and her Corvette. Rebecca lived in England for a year and Germany for 2 years with her husband Tom. Together they enjoyed traveling to many European countries during Tom’s assignments there. She also enjoyed several river and ocean cruises. She loved riding her Harley with the Thursday Night Girls to various destinations and often with Sebastian aboard.
Rebecca was a great listener when others were going through difficult times. She always seemed to know the right things to say or do to comfort them. She loved to surprise people by decorating their homes for special occasions, hosting parties, and playing practical jokes along with crafting, scrapbooking, journaling, Sudoku, Wordle and HGTV shows.
The family would like to thank the staff at UPMC Hamot for caring for Rebecca in her final days, especially Adam and Chris who in her final hours provided comfort to ensure her passing was peaceful.
Friends may call at the Russell C. Schmidt & Son Funeral Home Inc., 5000 Wattsburg Rd., on Monday from 4 to 7 p.m. Services and burial will be private and at the convenience of the family.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Franklin Fund at Because You Care, PO Box 54, McKean, PA 16426.
Rebecca graduated from McDowell High School and went on to graduate from Robert Morris University. She worked in Human Resources and the purchasing department at FMC Smith Meter, where she met her husband, until adult-onset asthma ended her career. She was a member of Glenwood United Methodist Church, the St. Boniface Ushers Club, AARP and ABATE of PA. She enjoyed volunteering at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center and Because You Care. She loved birds, wildlife, and her Thursday Night Girls. She was known for her thoughtful gifts, homemade cards, her kind, fun spirit and positive attitude. Her love of plants could be seen throughout her house.
In addition to her mother she was preceded in death by her grandson, Luke Gonda; her nephew, Christopher Stidham; and her dog, Sebastian.
In addition to her father, survivors include her husband, Thomas Gonda; two sisters, Laurel Hutchins (Wesley) of Millcreek and Lisa Mitchell (Greg) of Erie; her twin brother, William R. Waytenick of Millcreek; her "bonus children", Kris (Rebecca), Bradley (Kristin), Nicole (Paul), and Carey; her “bonus grandchildren”, Brett, Jacob, Brady, Emillie, Wyatt, Evin, Ryleigh, Hunter, and Madalyn; three sisters in law, Helen Young (Dennis) of Montana, Patricia DeMore of San Jose, CA, and Jan Newell (Robin) of Glacier Bay, CA; one brother in law, Al Gonda (Sheryl) of La Mesa, CA; her dog, Leo; and many nieces and nephews.
She will be sorely missed by family and friends. She had worked on several bucket lists over the years including travel, hot air ballooning, whale watching, owning and riding a Harley, and her Corvette. Rebecca lived in England for a year and Germany for 2 years with her husband Tom. Together they enjoyed traveling to many European countries during Tom’s assignments there. She also enjoyed several river and ocean cruises. She loved riding her Harley with the Thursday Night Girls to various destinations and often with Sebastian aboard.
Rebecca was a great listener when others were going through difficult times. She always seemed to know the right things to say or do to comfort them. She loved to surprise people by decorating their homes for special occasions, hosting parties, and playing practical jokes along with crafting, scrapbooking, journaling, Sudoku, Wordle and HGTV shows.
The family would like to thank the staff at UPMC Hamot for caring for Rebecca in her final days, especially Adam and Chris who in her final hours provided comfort to ensure her passing was peaceful.
Friends may call at the Russell C. Schmidt & Son Funeral Home Inc., 5000 Wattsburg Rd., on Monday from 4 to 7 p.m. Services and burial will be private and at the convenience of the family.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Franklin Fund at Because You Care, PO Box 54, McKean, PA 16426.