Laura M. (Skala) Riek-Pavlik

Laura M. Riek-Pavlik, 86, passed away on Sunday morning, April 17, 2016 at her residence, family by her side. She was feisty and witty until the end, never giving up on the life she so dearly loved.

Laura was born on January 1, 1930 in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, oldest daughter of Frank and Elizabeth Wozna Skala. She loved her New Years birthday, because the whole world celebrates on her special day.

Laura was proud of her Polish heritage. She learned to speak English in grade school, and her mother would use her reader to try and learn English as well. She graduated from Johnstown High School in 1947. Laura met the love of her life, Edmund P. Riek, while working at Silvers Drug Store, when he came in to order a Cherry Smash. Laura and Ed were united in marriage on November 26, 1947 at St Casimir Church, and lived in Johnstown for 25 years while raising their four children. Job opportunities brought them to Canfield, Ohio in 1972. After Ed’s passing in 1992, she was lucky enough to find a second great man, Michael Pavlik, who also lost his spouse. They married on November 5, 1994 at St Christine's Church and had many happy years together.

Laura worked as a seamstress in Johnstown and later retired from Hancock Fabrics, after 20 years as a floor supervisor, specializing in decorator fabrics. She was a faithful Catholic, an active member of Our Mother of Sorrows Church in Johnstown and St Christine Church in Youngstown. She was a lifelong volunteer at school, church, and the library. Laura was a long time member of the Sweetbriar Garden Club in Austintown, Ohio. She dearly loved the friendship of her fellow members, as they shared the joy of learning to create beautiful floral gardens. She loved travelling, cooking for her family and friends, and baking over 100 dozen special cookies for Christmas.

Laura leaves her children, whom she loved dearly, Lawrence Riek of North Port, FL, Patricia (Terry) St.Clair of Indian Lake, PA, Ronald (Deborah) Riek of Annapolis, MD, and Marsha (Mark) Guerriero of Carmel, IN. She also leaves a brother, Casey (Julie) Skala of North Brunswick, NJ and a sister, Jean (Edward) Krupa of Johnstown, two sister-in-laws Virginia Skala of Port St Lucie, FL and Elizabeth Skala of Medina, OH.

Laura's greatest joy was celebrating life with her family including her beloved seven grandchildren, Derrick (Suzie), Daryl (Lisa), Alison (Matthew), Shannon (Tim), Kristen (Cody), Matthew (Madison), and Lauren.

She also was lucky enough to have five great-grand princesses- Emily, Madalynn, Katelynn, Indi, Kylie and one great-grand prince, Angelo James.

Laura, being a part of the Pavlik family for many years, leaves Michael's daughters she thought of as her own, Michalyn Pavlik, Barbara Wrenn, Patricia Tudor, Mary Ellen Friend, and Lori Trefethern, as well as their families.

Aunt Laura will also be missed by her wonderful nieces and nephews, that affectionately called her Sarge, and later in life, promoted her to General!

Besides her parents, Laura is preceded in death by her husband of 44 years, Edmund Riek, her husband of 17 years Michael Pavlik, and her brothers, John, Joseph, Stanley and Ted Skala.

Her most treasured heirlooms are the sweet memories of family. Her Polish immigrant parents she respected so much, her dear brothers and sister, she loved throughout her life, her devoted husbands, saying she was lucky enough to have "two wonderful men", her cherished children she called her "two million dollar family", her grandchildren, her pride and joy, and her great-grands, who just brought smiles of delight!

Memories are the flowers in the garden of life. Come remember Laura and celebrate her life.

Friends will be received on Monday, April 25th from 5 to 7pm at the Davis-Becker Funeral Home in Boardman, OH.

There will be an additional visitation on Tuesday, April 26th from 9 to 10 am at Our Mother of Sorrows Church in Johnstown, PA. A Mass of Christian Burial will then begin at 10am. Interment will follow at Grandview Cemetery in Johnstown.

The family is very grateful for the love, thoughtfulness, and prayers that supported Laura through her many illnesses.

Contributions can be made in her name to support creative art education of either Our Mother of Sorrows School

430 Tioga St Johnstown, PA 15905 or St Christine School 3125 S. Schenley Ave Youngstown, OH 44511