Beyond The Ceiling

She is more than a police officer. She knows everyone’s name. My kids and others in the community look up to her. She is awesome.

- Bragette Demitras 

Millvale police officer Jennifer Harpur did not have a dream job in mind when she graduated from North Allegheny High School. When she enrolled at Allegheny County Community College she was not sure what she wanted to do with her life. A guidance counselor encouraged her to try many different classes. It was when she did a ride along with Ross Township police department, she found her true calling. 

Harpur is aware of the loss of trust in police, but she hopes the community feels a sense of relief when she and her fellow officers arrive on a scene. She likes the familiarity of working in community of 3600 residents where everyone knows her name. 

Every Tuesday afternoon, she visits the Millvale Library to spend time with children and teens to build relationships and foster trust. She is also a regular at the Boys and Girls Club and Holy Spirit Church.

She did not know exactly where Millvale was until she applied for the job.

“I have come full circle,” said Harpur, “This is where I want to be for the rest of my career.” 

Jen and Patty Sorg on their wedding day in October 2020. 

Jen’s North Allegheny High School senior portrait. 

Tina Norris in Millvale. Despite her cerebral palsy, Norris takes two buses to get to work at the Get Go in O’Hara Township. 

Tina and Bobby Norris on their wedding day in August 1991 at the Moose in Millvale. 

Tina and Bobby Norris in Millvale in August 2020. Tina met Bobby when she was 14 years old and they were both attending Allegheny Valley School. Norris grew up in McKees Rocks and moved to Millvale when she married Bobby. 

I tremendously inspired by Denise Rudar for her tireless efforts with Millvale Gardens. She is always there to help and write grants for the community’s benefit. She always has a smile on her face and has some new project going every time time I talk to her.

- Janice Schuler 

Denise Rudar in Millvale Gardens which she helped launched in 201. 

Denise when she graduated from Kent State University’s nursing school in 1980. Rudar began working as a nurse at Allegheny General Hospital immediately following graduation. She just marked 40 years at the hospital in June 2020. She is now an oncology nurse. 

Denise on her wedding day in 1986. She met her husband Michael, a Vietnam veteran, at the hospital when he worked as an orderly at the hospital’s recovery room. She moved to Millvale when she got married.

It is the “hidden figure” who truly makes the fabric of a town. Over time, we often forget – or never even knew – the stories of the remarkable women who have helped to shape our communities. Mrs. Evelyn Shoop was born and raised in Sharpsburg, married here, raised a family here, started and ran a successful business here for over 20 years, and remains a proud, lifelong borough resident.  Evelyn is the kind of woman who isn’t afraid to forge a new path – if she sees a need, she jumps in to meet it – she is a team player who isn’t afraid to lead.  When she saw a need for a Girl Scout troop, she started and grew one.  When the Boy and Girls Scouts needed a lifeguard, she became certified and taught them survival swim training. Mrs. Shoop has a lifelong hometown pride unlike anyone else I’ve ever known.  Much of her extensive volunteer work has focused on celebrating and promoting the borough – from decorating the local memorials to major roles in the planning and execution of the bicentennial year activities, to participation in the Merchants organization and Professional Women’s associations. As a female business owner, she was one of the first women in the area to have a credit card in her name (unheard of in those days), and she guided several local women through the process of securing their own credit cards. She created and donated hundreds of floral arrangements over the years to local organizations for their celebrations. She has volunteered with numerous organizations, and now into her 80’s she still volunteers on the altar team at St. Mary’s and organizes an annual Christmas concert for the public. Mrs. Shoop has greatly contributed to Sharpsburg at every phase of her life and loves living there.  

- Julie DeStefano (Evelyn’s cousin) 

A painting of young Evelyn by Vincent Nesbert.  

Evelyn DeStefano was born in June 1936 to a family of musicians.

Evelyn with her tuba and her grandfather Ralph DeStefano. 

 She met her future husband Jim Shoop in 1953 at work when they both expressed an interest in seeing La Boheme in downtown Pittsburgh. 

Evelyn and Jim Shoop on their wedding day in 1954. They have two daughters, Annie and Nancy. 

“Jim was very supportive. He never told me how to run my business.” said Shoop. 

Shoop started Sharpsburg’s first Brownie troop in the early ‘60s. Then went on to lead the girl scout troop for 12 years. 

At the age of 40, Evelyn opened The Flower Gallery on N.Canal Strret in Sharpsburg. She often worked seven days a week to create bouquets for weddings, funerals and numerous community events. “I took pride in the personal.” said Shoop. It was still difficult for women to get credit cards in their names and not their husbands in the 1970′s. After Shoop was able to get one in her name, she helped other women in Sharpsburg get their own credit cards. 

Evelyn at St Mary Church in Sharpsburg on Good Friday 2019. 

Barbara Smith passed away on May 20, 2019 at the age of 88. 

She  is always there to lend a helping hand to others. She is an active member of Mt. Olive Baptist Church where she serves as a missionary. She is always making people laugh with her sense of humor. She brings joy to others by getting them together to go on trips with Urso Tours. She is an inspiration to so many through her bravery and free spirit. She was recently diagnosed with Esophageal cancer. She continues her journey to battle this disease that has affected so many. She has gotten somany people including myself through their trials and tribulations. Barbara Smith the wife of Charles Smith Jr. (A Korean War Veteran, a lifetime member of the Post VFW 709, and the 1st African American Post Commander). They were married for 46 years until my Grandfather's death in 2000. She was born and raised in Sharpsburg. She graduated in 1948 from Sharpsburg High School. She keeps in touch with her classmates. They gather for lunch when they can. The Smiths raised 6 children in Sharpsburg. She is very involved in the community. She is an active board member of the Nams "The Center". She has been an active member for many years. She enjoys the lunches there, calling bingo, and saying prayer.

- Kayla Portis (Smith’s grandaughter) 

Kayla Portis (left) with her grandmother Barbara Smith at Mt Olive Baptist Church in Sharpsburg on May 3, 2019. Smith sang in choir, served as an usher and taught Sunday School for many years at the more than 125-year-old church. 

Barbara was born in Sharpsburg in December 1930. 

Barbara Moore’s Sharpsburg High School senior portrait in 1948. 

After graduation, Moore worked at St Margaret’s Hospital when it was located in Lawrencevile for eight years. She made formula for the babies in the nursery. 

She married Charles Smith in April 1953. They were married for 46 years before his death in 2000. Smith was most proud of their six children Charles, Cheryl, James (Ernie), Alan, Susan and Karen they raised together in Sharpsburg. Four of them still live in the borough. 

Charles Smith while serving in the Korean War. He later became the first black commander at the VFW Post 709 in Sharpsburg. 

Four generations of Sharpsburg women: Kayla Portis, Karen Smith Lindo, Barbara Smith and Smith’s mother Irene Moore. 

Jamie works at the Sharpsburg Library, and she is one of the main reasons that my 6-year-old daughter is such an avid reader. Jamie knows that my daughter loves ballet and The Berenstain Bears and will often set aside books related to those topics that she thinks my daughter will enjoy. This is the type of individual love and attention that Jamie bestows on every child in Sharpsburg. She looks after their minds and their hearts. It's not uncommon to walk into the library to see Jamie reading with a child or helping them pick out a book. What I also love and admire about Jamie is she is unabashedly her own unique soul. With her tattoos, spiky blonde hair and boisterous personality, she makes the library a bright spot in the community. She is also my friend. 

- Heidi Brayer, of Sharpsburg

Although Jamie Cozza, age 50, grew up in Penn Hills, she spent every summer in Sharpsburg. She remembers having lunch at Madonna Church, swimming at Linden Gym and buying candy at Angelini & Sons. “I love it here. You can walk from one end to the other.” 

She began frequenting libraries in her childhood. “I like reading about other peoples lives.” Cozza’s first library job was at Dible Elementary School in Penn Hills when she was in 5th grade. “I like sharing information. Knowledge is power.” says Cozza. 

Jamie celebrates her first birthday in Sharpsburg.

Jamie with her beloved Aunt Judy Meinert who was a Sister of Divine Providence.

A family dinner at her childhood home in Penn Hills in 1978. 

Sears portrait at age 17.

Cozza moved to Sharpsburg in 1996. She met her husband Vinnie in Sharpsburg and they married in 1997. She raised three daughters. “We look out for each other here” 

Jamie with her daughter Jesse in 2004 following Hurricane Ivan. Their home was flooded. 

Jamie with her daughter Jessie during a April 2018 visit to Maryland where Jessie was in rehab. Jessie died from an heroin overdose in Sharpsburg on August 20, 2018. Since her death, the Cozza family mission has been to educate other parents on the dangers of drugs and prevent other children from experimenting with drugs. "I love her and miss her every day.” said Cozza. 

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Because she was constant presence at the Sharpsburg Library, they asked her if she wanted a job. She has been one of their circulation assistants since 1997.

Jamie’s passion project was creating a summer reading program for children at 16th Street Park in Sharpsburg. 

Mary Jayne is a lifelong resident of Sharpsburg. If you ask anyone who has lived here more than 10 years, they will tell you that Mary Jayne is the "helper" of the community. I first met Mary Jayne at a community meeting that I held at Roots of Faith. The meeting was about bringing a grocery store to Sharpsburg. Mary Jayne immediately volunteered to help in any way she could. On August 15, 2017 she asked if she could volunteer at Roots of Faith, maybe 1 or 2 days a week? Since that time, she has been volunteering 40 hours a week at Roots of Faith. She is in charge of our shuttle service to and from the Lawrenceville Family Health Center, dollar energy, rent rebates, senior food boxes and other general social service requests. On any given day, you will see Mary Jayne helping someone find a place to live, help with finding food, clothing, food stamps and so much more. No matter where we go, someone recognizes her and thanks her for helping them. Mary Jayne worked at the NAMS center for 8 years as their senior center manager, and information and referral manager. Mary Jayne also worked at UPMC St. Margarets for 8 years as a telecommunications specialist. Mary Jayne is an active church member of Roots of Faith and recently became a mentor in the Circles Sharpsburg Program. (As if she doesn't volunteer enough). Working with Mary Jayne is a true honor, she has a heart as big as the sun and is one of the most caring people I know. She is not only a volunteer, but my friend. On a daily basis, there is a steady stream of people who come into the Roots of Faith outreach center needing help. Mary Jayne always takes the time to make everyone feel at home and she goes out of her way to help. In talking with other residents of Sharpsburg, Mary Jayne is a true hero to those that are hurting. It is for these reasons and a million more that I nominate Mary Jayne Kozlowski for the Beyond the Ceiling: Sharpsburg.  

 - Kathleen Stanley, Director of Outreach Ministries, Roots of Faith 

Mary Jayne Kozlowski at Roots of Faith.

Mary Jayne was a majorette at Fox Chapel High School.  After her graduation in 1972, Mary Jayne attended the Pittsburgh Beauty Academy. Her instructor Mrs Butera encouraged her to stay on as instructor. In 1974, she opened her own shop Gross Beauty Salon on Main Street in Sharpsburg.  

Mary Jayne and Eugene Kozlowski on their wedding day in Sharpsburg in 1987. “He was my soul mate. My rock.” said Kozlowski. Gene died in 2006 after battling cancer for nearly a decade. “Anything I wanted to do, he supported” says Kozlowski. 

Mary Jayne as a child in Sharpsburg. 

Mary Jayne with her grandmother Mary Jayne Kamenzing and great grandmother Mary Kazmenzind in 1959.

She considers her grandmother, who raised her for a few years, to be her mentor and her inspiration for a life of helping others. “She had a rough life” she said of her grandmother, “She worked as a railcar inspector before she enrolling in nursing school.” 

Her grandmother Mary Jayne holding granddaughter Jamie Lynn on the day of her christening. “She was tough and stern, but had a part of gold” said her daughter. She died at the age of 87. 

Mary Jayne with her biological father Matthew Vulakovich on Easter Day in 1958. 

Mary Jayne with Bobby Wysocki, of Blawnox, at a Roots of Faith block party in August 2018. 

(L to R) Jeanne Daniher, Nancy Wynn, Kathy Mercer, Karen Pastor and Ashlyn Spencer are members of the Sharpsburg Volunteer Fire Department. Their ages range from 15 to 64. There have been women fighting fires and serving the community with Sharpsburg Volunteer Fire Department since the 1980′s

Nancy Wynn (R) and her granddaughter Ashlyn Spencer. In addition to their volunteer firefighting duties, Spencer is a student studying at Community College of Allegheny County and Wynn is power equipment operator for the U.S. Postal Service on the North Side. Wynn’s oldest daughter was also a firefighter. 

“Once you are in the gear, there is no gender. You have a job to do.” said Wynn who used her vacation time to attend fire school. She 58-years old when she started training. 

Wynn with Kathy Mercer during a training exercise in the rain on the roof of the Sharpsburg Volunteer Fire Department.  Wynn believes firefighters must have empathy for others, “You are helping people you don’t know” said Wynn. 

Kathy Mercer and Karen Pastor during a live burn training. Pastor was recently reelected to the Sharpsburg Borough Council. Pastor recently served as borough council president. 

Kathy Mercer’s senior portrait. She graduated from Fox Chapel High School in 1987.

Mercer with her two daughters Stephanie and Sara. Mercer's day job is providing sales support for Equiparts in Oakmont. 

Karen Pastor’s 1971 senior portrait. Pastor graduated from St. Mary High School in Sharpsburg. The Catholic High School closed its doors in 1972. 

St Mary High School Girls Basketball Team in 1969.  

Karen Pastor played on St Mary girl’s basketball team. 

Jeanne Daniher, a sophomore at Fox Chapel High School, is a junior firefighter and the youngest volunteer. She is 15-years-old. 

Remy McIntyre, age 18, at her alma mater  Wilkinsburg High School where she graduated at the top of her class earlier this summer.

 The high school is closing its doors after more than a century. 

She was 2016 class valedictorian. 

Here is an excerpt from her speech:

Throughout my life, I have rushed through some of my greatest moments. And I told myself, when I made it to this very moment, that I would take my time and realize where I’m at. Realize how far I’ve come. And not just me but my classmates also. Each and every one of us has had our own struggle this year. Only thing that differs me from my classmates is that my struggle is constant. And that constant struggle for me is grief. I’ve buried so many loved ones that I’ve lost count. But you know what. I’ve learned to use grief as an experience. Not too many people can say that. There was so many times I wanted to give up but I knew I couldn’t do that. I was aiming towards success no matter how many times I got knocked off my feet. I had faith better days was coming. And one of the main things I learned dealing with each death was that you have to go through the challenges of life to gain wisdom, and not until you experience something, can you really appreciate it. And I’m not saying that I appreciate experiencing grief so many times. But I do appreciate God for putting me through all my challenges. They didn’t destroy me. They only made me so much stronger. I gained wisdom learning to trust my struggles. Being on this stage today, helped me realize, this is by far, one of my greatest moments just because I trusted all of my struggles.

I just want to close with saying to my senior class that, if you have a dream, go for it. If you want something, go get it. Period.  Don’t sit around waiting for it to happen. Gather courage to believe that you will succeed and turn your dreams into reality. The price of success is hard work, dedication to the job at hand, and the determination whether we win or lose. And always remember to apply yourself to every task that come your way.

- Remy McIntyre, Class of 2016

Above: Remy with her mother Vera

Below: Remy and Vera during Wilkinsburg’s final Promenade in May. 

She will be attending Temple University this fall. She is majoring in psychology and plans to attend law school. Her dream is to become a district attorney. 

She spent this summer working two retail jobs. “As an African-American woman, I refuse to be a statistic. I plan to be active in my community.” says Remy. She adds “I have an opportunity to paint my future.” 

Below a moment from her Denim and Diamonds graduation party in July.