Anna (Adam) Romza

Anna Adam Romza (Romzy) of Perryopolis, formerly of the Greenfield section of Pittsburgh, died peacefully surrounded by her family on Wednesday, February 10, just two months shy of her 108th birthday.  She was born in 1908 in Duquesne, PA but lived most of her formative years in Dubravka, present day Slovakia. She was the oldest of six children born to Peter and Anna (Scerba) Adam.

In March of 1928 she and her brother John Adam immigrated back to the US and settled in the Pittsburgh area. She was yet to learn English and had very little formal education, yet managed to get employed her first day in the country. She survived on her unshakeable work ethic, positive attitude, street smarts, and clever sense of humor.

In 1930 she married John Romza. Together they lovingly raising two children and shared thirty-five years of good humor. Anna loved to cook for her family. She taught many generations the traditional recipes of her home and made the best cheregy in town. She was always well dressed in her signature look of vintage dresses, heels, and scarves, even wearing her Sunday best to listen to mass on the radio. Incredibly hardworking, Anna was gainfully employed well into her seventies and still digging in her garden well after her hundredth birthday. Even in her last days, she could be seen crocheting in her sleep.

Anna believed in the power of prayer. She thought of it as her job to begin every morning with a rosary and to pray throughout the day for the many people she loved.

She was predeceased by her husband John, son Michael J. Romzy and son-in-law Thomas Karolcik.   She is survived by her daughter Barbara Ann Karolcik of Perryopolis with whom she has lived for 25 years, her daughter-in-law Helen Romzy of West Mifflin, her grandchildren Thomas Karolcik (Carrie) of Finleyville, Michael Romzy (Patti) of Mt. Lebanon, Anna Kovalcik (Tom) of Barrington, NH, John Karolcik (Amanda) of Morgantown, WV, Susan Althauser of Alabama and Thomas Bayuzik of Pgh., grandchildren Brock, Blake and Johnna Karolcik and Macie Bliss of Morgantown, MaryBeth Kovalcik of California and Karolyn, Natalie and Emma Kovalcik of Barrington, NH. 

Anna's sharp mind and memory continued to serve her through her last days. She inspired all who knew her, a friend and loving Baba to many in Perryopolis and around the world. Many asked for her secret to long life or words of wisdom. She liked to say, “You gotta have fun.”

Anna’s family will receive friends from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. on Sunday, February 14, 2016 in the Blair-Lowther Funeral Home, 305 Rear Independence Street, Perryopolis, PA.    

Parastas will be held in the funeral home on Sunday 6 p.m.  Panachida Monday morning at 10:30 a.m. at the funeral home, Liturgy of Christian Burial will be said on Monday, February 15, 2016 at 11 a.m. in Saint Nicholas Byzantine Catholic Church with Rev. Ronald P. Larko as Celebrant.

Interment will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Pittsburgh, PA.

 Service Information