Latest news with #TributetoWomen
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Wings of Hope Western PA founder remembered for grace, determination while battling cancer
A Hooversville woman who had a heart for service and a positive outlook on life died Wednesday. Tina Honkus, 68, is being remembered by friends as a 'warrior princess' who faced her pancreatic cancer diagnosis with grace and determination. Stacie Hickman, a State Farm insurance agent, said she will remember Honkus' tenacity on how she approached everything in her life. 'She found a way to bring out her knowledge and her experiences and elevate whatever the situation was whether it was selling Girl Scout cookies or raising money for her nonprofit or mentoring young business owners,' she said. 'She could make everything bigger, better and brighter.' Hickman said Honkus has inspired her to be involved, to make a difference and to push the ordinary. 'She pushed you to get out of your comfort zone and to make something impactful,' she said. 'She ran marathons with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer, so it just goes to show you that anything that comes your way you can handle if you have right attitude and mentality.' Honkus was employed by MetLife for 38 years, rising from the mailroom to the position of vice president of the Human Resource Service Center. She was the founder of Wings of Hope Western PA, a nonprofit that provides financial assistance to those battling cancer. Honkus served on several community boards, and was honored by YWCA Greater Johnstown with its Tribute to Women award. She also penned 'Pennies of Hope,' a memoir which chronicled her cancer journey. 'She touched so many lives in our community in one way or another, and I think everyone who knew her is better for knowing her,' said Andi Palmar, founder of Operation BeYoutiful. 'She made an impact on my life as a fellow nonprofit organizer, and through Wings of Hope she had many of our recipients, so she was able to meet other women who were going through similar battles as she was and help them.' She said Honkus' zest for life and will to live was extraordinary. 'She exemplified 'live like you're dying' because she did everything she wanted to do,' Palmar said. 'She ran marathons, she traveled, she spent time with her family and she was out in the community.' Eileen Graham, who worked with Honkus through the Stiletto Network, said she loved working with Honkus on community projects. 'She was the most positive, inspirational person and just full of perseverance,' she said. 'She was the most unselfish person I've ever met. She was beautiful inside and out, and would do anything for anybody.' Graham said Honkus lived everyday to the fullest. 'She's going to leave a long-lasting mark on this community,' she said. 'She's going to be missed by so many people, but she will never be forgotten.' Arrangements are being handled by Hoffman Funeral Home & Cremation Services Inc., Davidsville. Kelly Urban is a reporter for The Tribune-Democrat. She can be reached at 814-532-5073. Follow her on Twitter @KellyUrban25.
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
YWCA salutes outstanding women in region
Nine more outstanding women will join an already elite group of honorees for YWCA Greater Johns-town's Tribute to Women. Since 1987, 298 women in our region have met the criteria for the recognition. With the new honorees, that brings the total to 307 so far, and there are many more who deserve to be acknowledged for their accomplishments. Tribute to Women was conceived and established to honor women who have demonstrated excellence and leadership in promoting the growth of other women in professional fields in our communities. These women have achieved successes as doctors, lawyers, teachers, business owners, mentors, innovators and creators, and they are committed to serving others. They also exemplify the mission of the YWCA to empower women; eliminate racism; and promote peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. The categories for honor are Arts & Letters, contributes to the visual, literary or performing arts; Business, provides leadership in the field of commerce, manufacturing or a profit- oriented service industry; Community Service Volunteer, gives time and talents to help others in a non-paid, non-salaried position; Education, imparting knowledge and developing the powers of reasoning and judgment in the field of education; Non-Profit Services, working in a nonprofit environment enhancing the quality of life for others; Professions, working in a field or industry while promoting/enhancing the development of others through education/leadership training; Lady Liberty, serving or past service in the U.S. military, supporting and defending the Constitution, promoting freedom and liberty for all people; and S.T.E.M., working in the science, technology, engineering or math fields while promoting/enhancing the professional development of others through education/leadership training. The Yellow Rose Award is chosen by the YWCA Greater Johnstown board and recognizes someone who represents the philosophy of the YWCA. This year's honorees are Debbie Baxter, of Portage, Arts & Letters; Becky DeYulis, of Ebensburg, Business: Stacey Lewis, of South Fork, Community Service Volunteer; Angela Seidel, of Johnstown, Education; Ashley Flynn, of Loretto, Non-Profit Services; Louann Hoffman, of Cresson, Professions; Jessie Mullen, of Johnstown, Lady Liberty; Jacqueline Hockenberry, of Johnstown, S.T.E.M.; and Andi Palmar, of Johnstown, Yellow Rose. The women were nominated by their peers, who submitted biographies about their professional leadership and individual accomplishments, volunteer and community involvement, and extraordinary personal attributes that made them role models for others. A committee reviewed the biographies with the names removed and made selections based on the merits of the information provided. The very first awardees were Judith A. Mucha, Education; Ethel Otrosina, Business; M. Josephine Paul, Arts; Trudy Myers, Community Service; and Linda M. Weaver, Professions. The new honorees will be feted during an awards ceremony May 22 at Ace's in the Cambria City section of Johnstown. We congratulate all of the honorees, both past and present.
