When Stephanie Wilczak met Joe Kasper in class, it was love at first sight.
She probably didn’t tell the nuns at SS Cyril and Methodious Catholic School in McKees Rocks. They wouldn’t have approved.
Mrs. Kasper celebrated her 100th birthday on March 7 at Olivia’s Banquet Facility with friends and family, including their two sons, Joseph Jr. of Findlay and Alexander of Kennedy, three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Mr. Kasper was certainly there, too, although he died January 1991 after 50 years of marriage. A well-known comedian in McKees Rocks, he’d never miss a date with his biggest fan.
She and her twin brother, Walter, were born on March 8, 1915, to Francis and Veronica Wilczak of Stowe. They had six brothers and sisters, all of whom attended SS Cyril and Methodious. She finished eighth grade and then worked at Federal Enamel, leaving to get married.
She and Mr. Kasper wed on July 6, 1940, and settled in McKees Rocks, where she still lives today. Mr. Kasper was a firefighter, and Mrs. Kasper was a cook famous for her stuffed cabbage rolls, pierogies, paska and poppy-seed and nut rolls. The entire family gathered at Steffie and Joe’s house on holidays.
She loved to go Downtown, to shop at Kaufmann’s department store and to attend church. She continued to go once a week into her 90s. She attributes her longevity to self-discipline, activity and all things in moderation (except maybe laughter; 50 years married to a comedian guarantees that).
If you or a friend or a relative recently turned 100 or will soon do so, the Post-Gazette would like to hear from you. To be included in Century Club, send the honoree’s biographical information and your phone number to Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Century Club, Attn: Kevin Kirkland, 34 Blvd. of the Allies, Pittsburgh 15222. Fax: 412-491-8452. Email: kkirkland@post-gazette.com.
First Published: April 14, 2015, 4:00 a.m.