Obituary for Juanita O'Toole (O'Brien)
Juanita M. O’ Brien O’Toole, age 72, of Erie, PA., returned to the spiritual realm on Tuesday, April 25, 2023. Her human experience began on August 31,1950 when she was born to parents, Samuel J. and Alice E. (Greer) O'Brien in Butler, Pennsylvania.
Nita attended St. Peter's RC School in Butler until her family moved to Baden, Pennsylvania where she attended Baden-Economy Jr. High School. Nick-named the "red-head from Baden”, she graduated from Rochester High School in Rochester, Pennsylvania in 1968. While at Rochester High, she won many awards, including induction into the National Honor Society and DECA PA Student of the Year. She competed in regional, state, and national competitions in the Distributive Education Clubs of America.
She married Joseph A. Gulish on October 25, 1969. She moved to Erie, Pennsylvania in 1972 and since has called Erie "home." Her educational dreams were fulfilled in 1986 when she was graduated from Villa Maria College of Gannon University School of Nursing with an Associate Degree in Nursing. She received her Bachelor Degree in Science with Academic Distinction in 2003 from the University of St Francis, Joliet, IL.
Her nursing career spanned more than 30 years in Erie at UPMC Hamot SPICU and Burn Unit Staff Nurse, GLRH (Great Lakes Rehabilitation Hospital) and LEIR (Lake Erie Institute of Rehabilitation), now Encompass, as a Certified Case Manager and Director of Admissions. She also worked for the Alliance Health Network as a Case Manager for Transplant and Pediatric Special Care patients. Her full-time retirement in 2022, was after more than 21 years at the Barber National Institute as a Medical Case Manager for individuals in their Residential Group Homes and for L'arche individuals as well. She found her true love and calling in caring for "her" individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities- her second family.
Nita was an avid gardener, having a successful shade Zen Garden next to her home. She also gifted family and friends with cross-stitch embroidery. She enjoyed supporting the "grands" sports activities, sewing, decorating, reading, helping family with projects, and kayaking. She was also a member of the Irish Cultural Society. She loved taking pictures throughout all the years of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren growing up.
Preceding her in death was her "Anam Cara" Austin J. O'Toole, whom she married on September 2, 1995. Austin was the love of her life, spending 16 years of marriage together. She was also preceded by her childhood friend, Carol Ruskin, as well as her mother in 2011 and her father in 2015.
She leaves three children: Kimberly, Amy, and Brien Gulish; two grand daughters; Anna Gulish (Alex) and Autumn Ford, and two great-grandsons: Julian and Jordan Gulish; Lexi; and many friends including long-time friends from 33rd St.
Juanita always was grateful for all her friends who came into her life and celebrated life with her, including Linda Kelsey of L'Arche. She is further survived by her sister, Karen (Tim) Pugh of Butler; brothers Samuel (Rosemarie), David (Cheryll) and Stephen (Arlene) O'Brien all in the Pittsburgh area; along with many nieces and nephews. She will be missed by her four-legged kid, Sophie. She is also survived by her sister-in-law Jane (deceased James) 0'Toole and Kathy (David Ray) 0'Toole, as well as nieces and nephews, and Austin's family of Inishturk, Ireland.
Friends may call on Sunday, April 30, 2023 at the Kloecker Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc. 2502 Sassafras St. from 12pm until the time of the service at 4pm. Send condolences to www.kloeckerfuneralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the funeral home.
Nita attended St. Peter's RC School in Butler until her family moved to Baden, Pennsylvania where she attended Baden-Economy Jr. High School. Nick-named the "red-head from Baden”, she graduated from Rochester High School in Rochester, Pennsylvania in 1968. While at Rochester High, she won many awards, including induction into the National Honor Society and DECA PA Student of the Year. She competed in regional, state, and national competitions in the Distributive Education Clubs of America.
She married Joseph A. Gulish on October 25, 1969. She moved to Erie, Pennsylvania in 1972 and since has called Erie "home." Her educational dreams were fulfilled in 1986 when she was graduated from Villa Maria College of Gannon University School of Nursing with an Associate Degree in Nursing. She received her Bachelor Degree in Science with Academic Distinction in 2003 from the University of St Francis, Joliet, IL.
Her nursing career spanned more than 30 years in Erie at UPMC Hamot SPICU and Burn Unit Staff Nurse, GLRH (Great Lakes Rehabilitation Hospital) and LEIR (Lake Erie Institute of Rehabilitation), now Encompass, as a Certified Case Manager and Director of Admissions. She also worked for the Alliance Health Network as a Case Manager for Transplant and Pediatric Special Care patients. Her full-time retirement in 2022, was after more than 21 years at the Barber National Institute as a Medical Case Manager for individuals in their Residential Group Homes and for L'arche individuals as well. She found her true love and calling in caring for "her" individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities- her second family.
Nita was an avid gardener, having a successful shade Zen Garden next to her home. She also gifted family and friends with cross-stitch embroidery. She enjoyed supporting the "grands" sports activities, sewing, decorating, reading, helping family with projects, and kayaking. She was also a member of the Irish Cultural Society. She loved taking pictures throughout all the years of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren growing up.
Preceding her in death was her "Anam Cara" Austin J. O'Toole, whom she married on September 2, 1995. Austin was the love of her life, spending 16 years of marriage together. She was also preceded by her childhood friend, Carol Ruskin, as well as her mother in 2011 and her father in 2015.
She leaves three children: Kimberly, Amy, and Brien Gulish; two grand daughters; Anna Gulish (Alex) and Autumn Ford, and two great-grandsons: Julian and Jordan Gulish; Lexi; and many friends including long-time friends from 33rd St.
Juanita always was grateful for all her friends who came into her life and celebrated life with her, including Linda Kelsey of L'Arche. She is further survived by her sister, Karen (Tim) Pugh of Butler; brothers Samuel (Rosemarie), David (Cheryll) and Stephen (Arlene) O'Brien all in the Pittsburgh area; along with many nieces and nephews. She will be missed by her four-legged kid, Sophie. She is also survived by her sister-in-law Jane (deceased James) 0'Toole and Kathy (David Ray) 0'Toole, as well as nieces and nephews, and Austin's family of Inishturk, Ireland.
Friends may call on Sunday, April 30, 2023 at the Kloecker Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc. 2502 Sassafras St. from 12pm until the time of the service at 4pm. Send condolences to www.kloeckerfuneralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the funeral home.