Wisdom Keepers from Lawrenceville United

Barb is a lifelong resident of Lawrenceville, and she has always cared deeply about her neighbors and neighborhood. She grew up in the 6th Ward and now lives in the 9th Ward. She was a hairdresser to lots of residents over the years. Barb shares a lot of memories around her childhood, family, and civic engagement. To this day, she serves as a key member of the Lawrenceville Fireworks Committee whi...

Lenny is a lifelong resident of Lawrenceville and is proud to be from the neighborhood. He has been singing for most of his life at Holy Family and the national anthem at the Lawrenceville Independence Day Celebration. Lenny shares memories of working at Pittsburgh Piping, meeting his wife, Marge, and raising his kids in the neighborhood.  

Judy Stupka is a lifelong resident of the 9th Ward. She shares memories of growing up with her 9 siblings in the neighborhood. She shares a fun memory of riding on a neighbor's pony on her street and the fun of playing in the neighborhood streets. She shares the implications of the neighborhood evolving over time and how she has grown older with her family in the neighborhood.  

Jim shares about growing up in a Lawrenceville that was not so safe and his experiences as a former postal worker. In his reflections, he shares the history of both Lawrenceville and Lawrenceville United. He was involved on the LU Board in the early days and assisted with the Block Watches that were determined to make the neighborhood safer. The work of Jim and fellow neighbors helped to shape Law...

Jenny is a lifelong 10th Ward resident. She reflects on how the neighborhood has changed over the years with regards to homeownership, religion, safety, and family size. Jenny helped to form Lawrenceville United in 2001 with fellow neighbors who were determined to increase neighborhood safety and improve residents' quality of life. She was a leader of the monthly Block Watches and Jenny's advocacy...

Jackie is a 9th Warder and she shares her memories of the neighborhood, including the pizza shop she owned with her husband, the Pizza Supreme, whose number remains up right by the GetGo on 40th Street. She reflects on the changes to Butler Street, her family's adventures, and her different jobs. Now, Jackie can often be found walking around the neighborhood with a big smile and a hello for everyo...

Edward was born in Wales and his family immigrated to the USA and Lawrenceville when he was young. He spent a lot of time at the Boys Club growing up and beginning his creative endeavors in art. He discusses meeting his wife and raising his family and how his life and the neighborhood have evolved over the years.  

Mark is a lifelong resident of Lawrenceville, specifically of the 9th Ward. Mark shares lots of memories about growing up and staying in the neighborhood – enjoying boxing at the Boys Club, attending Holy Family, and living nearby his family. He remains dedicated to the neighborhood, and even when others would suggest he move away when the neighborhood was considered less safe, Mark always felt at...

Pat shares memories of growing in Lawrenceville during the 1930s and the businesses and community members she remembers very distinctly, including: Penn Baking, St. Mary's Lyceum, fortune tellers, hair salons, and more. You never had to travel too far out of the neighborhood to get exactly what you needed. She shares memories about friends and family members and how the neighborhood has shifted ov...

Irene grew up in the 10th Ward with her 8 siblings before moving to Morningside when she was in her 20s. She reflects on her childhood – playing in the alleys, walking on Butler St, swimming at Leslie Park, and buying ice cream at the Tastee-Freez. Irene also reflects on her jobs and the community feel of the neighborhood as she was growing up.   

Barbara reflects on growing up in Lawrenceville. She shares a lot of memories of her rides on the streetcar all around the city and going to different businesses around Lawrenceville with her family and friends. She acknowledges how the neighborhood has evolved and what the neighborhood means to her.  

Barbara grew up in Lawrenceville and shares a lot of memories of her childhood. She would find herself at Leslie Park everyday during the summer. Some memories she touches on are the Memorial Day Parade, Girl Scouts, Frank's Bakery, Keystone Candies, Lupi's Pizza, and more! Barbara has moved away since her childhood, but has been stunned to witness the changes to the neighborhood since she was lit...

Eileen grew up in the 9th Ward and always lived near St. Francis Hospital (now Children's Hospital) and the critical role that hospital has played in her life. Everyone she knew worked at St. Francis, so Eileen ended up spending a lot of her time there. She reflects on how the neighborhood, community and businesses have evolved over the years. Eileen acknowledges that the Vietnam War had a huge im...

Cheryl recently reconnected with family friends Elsie and Jeffrey. All grew up in Lawrenceville, Elsie is Jeffrey's mother and Cheryl was a few years younger than Jeffrey while they were all growing up. Together they share their different perspectives on their lives and experiences in the neighborhood.  

Christine spent some of her adult years away from Lawrenceville, but Hatfield Street has always been home. Christine reflects on life growing up in the neighborhood and experiencing the changes of the neighborhood, the good and the challenging, through the years.  

Patty did not grow up in Lawrenceville, but she raised her 5 children in the neighborhood. She was an active volunteer working with kids and people in recovery throughout Lawrenceville. Patty shares a lot of her favorite memories of the neighborhood including Doo Dah Days, watching the Lawrenceville Youth Sports, and the Fourth of July.  Although she no longer lives in Lawrenceville, she is a regu...

As a lifelong Lawrenceville resident, Alberta has many stories to share about growing up, raising children, and staying in the neighborhood. Growing up in Lawrenceville was not always easy, but she walked the neighborhood often and enjoyed ice cream and could always find a grocery store to visit for a snack. She shares that in spite of the challenges faced, she's glad to have grown up when she did...

Della moved out of Lawrenceville 14 years ago, but lived in the neighborhood for over 70 years. She offers a rich history of the neighborhood and discusses the close knit nature of Lawrenceville and how you never had to leave it to access anything you need, and sometimes you wouldn't even leave your ward.  

Although Carol did not grow up in the Lawrenceville neighborhood, she has called it home for nearly 25 years. Carol enjoys reading, art, and being with friends. She shares her experiences of the neighborhood and how it has evolved over the years that she has lived there.

Mickey grew up in the 9th Ward and shares great memories of sports and family in Lawrenceville while sitting in the gym at St. Mary's Lyceum. His father started 9th Ward Youth Sports and the field behind is named after him, John "Baldy" McGrane field. Mickey took on the charge of running 9th Ward Youth Sports and continues to run it to this day. He is dedicated to his neighborhood and serves on th...

Miguel has served on the Council of Three Rivers American Indian Center since 1977 and lived in Lawrenceville with his son for about 10 years from the mid 1980s-mid 1990s. When he moved to Lawrenceville he learned about the Lenni Lenape tribe who were the first to live in what is now considered to be Lower Lawrenceville. At that time, it was known as Shannopin Town. Miguel provides an Indigenous p...

Mary has always been very active in Lawrenceville. She worked for Pittsburgh Public Schools, and following her retirement she started a club for kids to learn about Arsenal Park's history and Shannopin Town. Mary has also been an active mobility and transportation advocate. She shares a lot of memories of Lawrenceville – the fireworks, first kisses, and more. Mary has played a large role in shapin...

Monica shares her experiences, both the joyful and the challenging, of growing up in the neighborhood. She faced some personal and familial adversities, but also shared memories of her neighbors and how she built her relationship with her husband. Monica offers a frank and personal account of her life in Lawrenceville.

Della moved out of Lawrenceville 14 years ago, but lived in the neighborhood for over 70 years. She offers a rich history of the neighborhood and discusses the close knit nature of Lawrenceville and how you never had to leave it to access anything you need, and sometimes you wouldn't even leave your ward.   

Mary Petrich loves her neighborhood! She worked as a nurse at St. Francis Hospital (now the site of Children's Hospital) and shares interesting stories of her time there and growing up in the neighborhood. Be sure to listen for Liberace receiving life saving treatment at St. Francis! Mary has been very involved in the neighborhood and with her family and brings a positive spirit to all she does. ...