Gwen Pierce

Joan Gwendolyn (Gwen) Pierce of Austintown passed away peacefully at home on September 11th surrounded by her family, after a long battle with multiple myeloma. Gwen was born on April 7th, 1942, to Michael and Julia (Hruska) Tovarnak. She grew up in the Lansingville neighborhood of Youngstown, later moving to the Westside and graduating from Chaney High School in 1960. Gwen married the love of her life, Frank, on August 15, 1964. Prior to that, she worked at Grant’s Department Store, where she met Donna Bertilacci, who would eventually become her in-law. She then worked as a teller at Dollar Bank before transitioning to homemaker after she and Frank started their family. She returned to the workforce as a cook for the Austintown School system. Gwen was later promoted to cafeteria manager at Lynn-Kirk Elementary School, where she took great pride in cooking for the students and staff. Gwen retired in 1996 to help care for her grandchildren. Gwen was a lifelong member of St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, where she served as treasurer for many years. Gwen enjoyed cooking, baking, and sewing. She was a talented seamstress who made Halloween costumes for her grandchildren and countless quilts.

Gwen is survived by her husband Frank of 58 years. She also leaves behind her sons, Michael (Rhonda Berlin) of Cleveland and Scott (Connie Bertilacci) of Austintown. She will be missed dearly by her treasured grandchildren; Scott, Sierra (Jantzen Wells), Grace, and Sean. Gwen was a devoted sister to her brother, Dennis of Lewisville, Texas and aunt to many nieces and nephews, as well as a loving sister-in-law to Lilly, of Niles, and Jimmy, of Girard. The family would like to thank The Blood and Cancer Center of Boardman, Glow Girls, and Hospice of the Valley for their care and support. In honor of Gwen’s brave fight with cancer over the last 17 years, the family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Hospice of the Valley or the American Cancer Society in her name. Visitation for Gwen will be held Sunday September 18, 2022, from 2:00 – 3:00 PM followed by a Memorial Service at 3:00 PM at Lane Funeral Homes Austintown Chapel, 5797 Mahoning Avenue, Youngstown, Ohio 44515. To leave condolences to the family please visit www.lanefuneralhomes.com