Veronica "Vern" Fajbik

Veronica “Vern” Fajbik, 84, of Tarentum, passed away peacefully, Wednesday, September 4, 2019 with her family by her side. She was born June 11, 1935 in Harrison Township to the late Peter and Mary (Dzurik) Durian. Veronica lived her entire life in Tarentum where she was a homemaker. She was a member of Holy Martyrs Church, formerly St. Clement’s in Tarentum, Slovak American Club, Brackenridge Legion Auxiliary and the Tarentum Eagles. Veronica was a graduate of Tarentum High School and enjoyed gardening, bingo, ceramics, painting, polka dancing, baking, crocheting and cooking traditional Slovak recipes.

            Everyone was a friend at Vernie’s house. You could always count on her for a greeting from the balcony at her home in Tarentum. Even if you’d already eaten, she was still going to invite you in for a meal. She was known for her famous nut rolls that she baked every holiday, but even more for her tiny stature and a big tenacious personality. Her late husband, Joe, would tell you he fell in love with her strong will, generosity and passion for hard work. They spent their lives working on houses and rental properties together and loved to dance the Polka.

            To her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren she was the boss and matriarch of the family; the person who kept it all together and one of the most generous, thoughtful and spirited women you could ever know. She was always there to provide endless support, love and humor. Her presence will be greatly missed by all.

            Survivors include her children Andrea (Robert D.) Micenko, Upper Burrell and Curt J. Fajbik and fiancé Tracy Gretz, Tarentum; grandchildren Brian A. (Stacy) Fajbik, Natrona Heights, Victoria A. (Eric) Schoch, Manassas, VA, Tony J. (Chelsey) Fajbik, Buffalo Twp. and Katrina S. Charles and fiancé John McClelland, O’Hara Twp; great grandchildren Laney, Sabrina, Josephine and Giovanni Schoch and Kendall and Teagan Fajbik. Also surviving are numerous nieces and nephews. Besides her parents she was preceded in death by her husband Joseph P. Fajbik in 2003; brothers Paul, Andrew, Frank, Anthony and Steve Durian and Joe, Peter and John Jezik and her sisters Ann Durian “Sister Mary Gemma”, Mary Arvay and Margaret Ozimek.

            Visitation 2-4 and 6-8 PM Sunday in the Duster Funeral Home, Inc. 347 E 10^th Ave, Tarentum, 724-224-1526. Christian funeral mass will be celebrated Monday at 10 am in Holy Martyrs Church, Tarentum, 724-224-1526. Burial will be in Our Lady of Hope Cemetery, Frazer Twp. In lieu of flowers, family suggests contributions to Allegheny Valley Association of Churches Food Bank, 1913 Freeport Rd, Natrona Heights, PA 15065. VISIT: dusterfh.com