Eleanor Catherine DiSanti, age 98, passed peacefully from this life, Thursday, March 13, 2025.  She was born November 30, 1926, in Duryea, Luzerne County, PA., daughter of the late Frank and Elizabeth (Krupowicz) Mierzejek.

Early in her childhood, Eleanor became fluent in Polish learning the language from her parents before learning to read and write it while attending Holy Rosary Catholic School in Duryea.   She completed her elementary schooling through 8th grade in West Deer Township before a family hardship caused her to move to Nanty-Glo, Pennsylvania in 1941 with her beloved Aunt and Uncle Helen and Charles Sheehan and her three cousins Leonard, Adolph, and Alberta. While working for her aunt, proprietor of the Nanty- Glo Hotel, Eleanor flourished in her academic studies as well as extra and co-curricular school activities including drama, music, debate, science, and journalism. She became Editor- in-Chief of her High School Yearbook and was lauded for her "extraordinary writing ability." She was the Valedictorian of the Class of 1945.

After graduating from high school, Eleanor returned to West Deer where she reunited with her family. The challenges of a war-time economy prevented her from attending college. As part of the war effort, she joined the female work force as an employee of the Scaife Corporation in Oakmont manufacturing mortar shells. Eleanor held many jobs to make do before becoming a switchboard operator for Bell Telephone, where she quickly was  promoted to supervisor.

After returning from the war, Sabatino, (Samuel) DiSanti, (former Police Chief of West Deer Township) began courting his next-door neighbor, Eleanor. They were married in 1948 and built a home in West Deer in 1951 where they lived together for 51 years before his passing in 1999.

Throughout her life, Eleanor was a life-long learner. She was a voracious reader and lover of music, amassing a large library of the best literature and classical music. She had a particular passion for history, science, religion, and politics. Her keen intellect was readily apparent any time family and friends would discuss the new issue of the day or play games where cultural literacy was required.

She was a life-long and active member of Transfiguration RC Church in Russellton, where she placed her faith in action singing in the choir and teaching children CCD.  She also was a member of the Deer Lakes Community Choir and recently received a Senatorial Commendation for her service as a founding member of the West Deer Township Volunteer Fire Company #1, Ladies Auxiliary.

Eleanor loved to travel with her children and grandchildren joining them on visits to many historical sites and the national parks in the US, Canada, and Mexico.

Although Eleanor led an active life and possessed many interests and talents, what was most important to her was her family. She loved to host family get-togethers where her culinary skills were on display preparing many traditional Polish and Italian dishes like halupki and lasagna. Her bake goods were a special treat, particularly her pizzelles,  cheesecake, Christmas cookies, and apple pie.

Eleanor was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, and friend always there to provide help and support. She regularly attended the grandchildren's activities. She always placed the needs of others before herself.

Eleanor was preceded in death by her father Frank , mother Elizabeth , husband Samuel , sister, Elizabeth "Betty" Pawloski , brother in-law, Bill, brother Leo Mierzejek, sister in-law Barbara Mierzejek and nephew Stephen Mierzejek

She is survived by her two children Dr. John S. (Dr. Judy) DiSanti, David R. (Gina) DiSanti; grandchildren, David Jr. (Jennifer) DiSanti, Jana (Ivery) Jackson DiSanti, Dr. Justin DiSanti, Dr. Domenic (Abigail) DiSanti, Dr. Jared DiSanti; great grandchildren Elizabeth, Josephine, Cecelia, Wyatt, and Morgan; and many nieces and nephews in the DiSanti, Mierzejek, and Pawloski families.

Friends and relatives will be received, 2 to 7 pm, Sunday, March 16, 2025, at Adam Siemianowski Funeral Home, 179 Starr Road, Russellton, PA 15076, 724-265-1501.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated, 11 AM, Monday, at Our Lady of the Lakes Parish, Transfiguration Campus, 100 McKrell Road, Russellton , PA 15076 .  Interment will follow at Our Lady of Hope Cemetery 1898 Bakerstown Road, Tarentum, PA 15084.  Eleanor will be laid to rest next to her beloved husband, Samuel.

For online condolences and directions, please visit, www.westderrfuneralhome.com

Donations can be made in her memory to the West Deer Twp. VFD # 1 (1520 Saxonburg Blvd., Tarentum, PA 15084)