It is with great sadness, but joy of a life well lived, the family of Judy (Simeone) Klaja of Shaler Township, formerly of Polish Hill, announce she was granted eternal peace on November 2, 2023.

Judy was born in the Polish Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh, PA to Isabel and Joseph Simeone.  She and her sisters were raised in a close-knit Italian/Irish family.  She met and married her late husband, Bernie Klaja Sr in 1962 and together they had 3 sons, Bernie, Scott and Ken.

She worked for many years at St. Francis Hospital, making friendships that spanned a lifetime and after that at UPMC South Side from where she retired in 2009.  She was very well known in the Polish Hill Community, spending many days a week at the Polish Hill Senior Center, knitting, crafting, quilting, playing bingo and serving lunch to many local residents.  She loved taking care of everyone, always making sure others had what they needed before she ever did, even after her last breath.

Judy was able to nurture and treasure her family watching it grow through her sons.  She was a devoted, loving and inspirational Nana to her granddaughters and grandson, and was even blessed with great grandchildren the most recent beingborn in April 2023.  She is also survived by her sister Loretta, niece, nephews and other extended family.

The wisdom she passed on her to family will continue forgenerations.  Simple acts of kindness, like baby quilts for each new addition, or a simple knitted scarf or hat.  These are the ways she has taken care of us over the years, and we have those items to cherish for years to come.  The mark she left on anyone she met is one that will outlast us all.  Her family and friends will miss her light, friendship, guidance, fighting spirit and love dearly.

In addition to her parents and husband, Judy was preceded in death by her sister Betty and an infant brother.  Visitation will be Monday November 6, 2023 from 2-8 pm at the Walter J. Zalewski Funeral Home, 216 44th Street, Lawrenceville.

Funeral Service will be Tuesday, November 7th 2023 at 12:00 pm with burial to follow at St. Stanislaus Cemetery, 700 Soose Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15209.

In lieu of flowers, donations, in Judy's name, can also be made to Polish Hill Senior Center 30th & Paulowna Streets Pittsburgh, PA 15219 or Family Hospice Lawrenceville Inpatient Unit 310 Fisk Street Pittsburgh, PA 15201.