Dolores Mae Gala

On April 1, 2021, Dolores “Dee or Dode” Mae Girovsky Gala, age 90, peacefully passed away in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. Dee was born in McKeesport, PA, on May 4,1930, to the late John and Mary Yager Girovsky, and was the spouse of former McKeesport Deputy Fire Chief, the late Frank Theodore Gala.
Dee graduated from McKeesport Tech High School and worked in Accounting for the Greek Catholic Union until the birth or her first child in 1963.
In her twenties Dee loved riding the streetcar to Homestead to swim after work, even in cold winter weather. She delighted in going dancing with her friends and took joy in entertaining her parents with the latest new dance moves. She relished traveling with her friends to the Mid-West, N.Y. City, Washington, D.C., and the Florida Coast where she learned to water ski. In N.Y. City she once bought a custom pair of high heels with her name engraved on the sole (in gold of course) that cost an entire months’ salary of $120.00.
In retirement, she found joy in taking dance lessons in Ballroom, Tango, and Salsa. She always joined her friends at the local dance events for seniors, and of course, the Polka remained a lifetime favorite. Every Spring you would find her planting flowers and weeding garden beds; she loved the blossoms. Dee spent 15 years with her beloved friend, Edwin Lowther, who served in the Marine Corps at Iwo Jima. They attended many Marine Corps reunions throughout the USA and they had a hoot with old and new friends. Edwin preceded her in death in 2009.
She absolutely loved life and adored her family and six grandchildren. She is survived by her two daughters: Denise “Deenie” (Jeff) Ross of North Huntingdon, PA, and Melanie Gala (Steve) Marinaro of McLean, VA; grandchildren: Shane and Madison Mulhern, Nicole, Steven, Grace and Christian Marinaro. She was preceded in death by her older siblings: Mary Lebedda, Anne Chalfa, Helen Vargo, and John Girovsky.
Our hearts will be forever grateful to Darlene, Jerry and the staff at Kelly’s II Personal Care Home of Latrobe for their loving and compassionate care of Mum over the past four years. Her final days of hospice care were as peaceful as could be hoped for thanks to all of the staff and nurse Christy of Excela. Their compassionate care and guidance to our family was a godsend.
Family and friends will gather at Strifflers of White Oak Cremation and Mortuary Services, 1100 Lincoln Way, White Oak, PA 15131 (Sue Striffler Galaski, supervisor, 412-678-6177) on Tuesday, April 6, 2021 from 2:00 pm until 6:00 pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 am at Mary, Mother of God Parish, St. Angela Merici Church, 1640 Fawcett Ave, White Oak, PA, 15131 on Wednesday, April 7, 2021. Entombment will follow at Lebanon Chapel Mausoleum of West Mifflin.
The family and our team members appreciate that all visitors follow the current CDC guidelines including wearing of masks, social distancing, and capacity limits. We thank you for your cooperation and understanding.
Should friends desire, memorial contributions may be sent to the Alzheimer’s Association to aid in research, 2835 E. Carson St., Suite 200, Pittsburgh, PA 15203.
To share a memory or condolence, visit strifflerfuneralhomes.com.