Shirley Ann (Tankovits) Moczek

After a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer, Shirley Ann (Tankovits) Moczek, 82, of Glen Dale, West Virginia, formerly of Martins Ferry, Ohio, passed away at her home on September 21, 2020, surrounded by her loving family. 

Born September 24, 1937, in Martins Ferry, Ohio, to the late Joseph and Anna (Smith) Tankovits, Shirley was a 1955 graduate of St. John Central High School in Bellaire, Ohio. There, she met the love of her life, Paul R. Moczek. Together with Paul they raised four daughters: Paula (Marty) Spanner of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania; Jayme (Perry) Nardo of Shadyside, Ohio; JoEllen (Lou) Pytlak of Glen Dale, West Virginia; and Dawn (Todd) Zelczak of Cincinnati, Ohio. 

Shirley was a loving and proud grandmother (Mamie) to her “Baker’s Dozen:” Marty (Sarah) Spanner, Matthew (Emily) Nardo, Benjamin (Alison) Spanner, Bryan (Emma) Nardo, Kaitlyn Pytlak, Natalie Spanner, Kyle Pytlak, Daniel Spanner, Hannah Pytlak, Luke Nardo, Riley Zelczak, Steven Zelczak, and Audrey Zelczak. Her joy of life can be seen through the eyes of her four great-grandchildren: Bianca, Oliver, Joseph and Dominick. 

In addition to her parents, Shirley was preceded in death by her husband Paul of 56 years, a brother Joseph "Sonny" (Jean) Tankovits, and brother-in-law George W. "Bill" Collignon. 

Surviving is her sister: Marlene (Tankovits) Collignon -- as well as several special nieces and nephews.

Shirley worked for the city of Martins Ferry as the secretary to the Mayor in the late 1950s. She later was an administrative assistant to Green International of Sewickley, Pennsylvania.

Shirley was a lifelong member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Martins Ferry, Ohio. In 1988, Shirley and Paul founded the St. Mary’s chapter of the Infant of Prague Society, bringing faith and hope to hundreds of Catholics in the Ohio Valley for the past 3 decades. 

The family will honor Shirley’s memory with a private viewing on Thursday, September 24. Respects can be made in the vestibule of St. Mary’s Church from 10-11 am Friday, September 25, prior to Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 am, concelebrated by Rev. Thomas Marut and our special family priest, Rev. Thomas Magary.  

The family requests that proper social distancing measures be adhered to and a mask be worn during visitation and the Mass. 

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Keller Funeral Home, 615 Hanover St., Martins Ferry, Ohio. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to: St. Mary’s Infant of Prague Society, 20 N. Fourth St., Martins Ferry, OH 43935, to help fulfill Shirley’s dream of building a Shrine to The Infant of Prague.  

Condolences to the family may be made by signing the guest book to the left of Shirley's photo.

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