Wanda E. (Wright) Sterling

Wanda Elaine Wright was born in Washington D.C. to Alvena Blanche Wright (Hawkins) and Ernest William Wright on November 14, 1948. Wanda was raised in Johnstown PA. with her younger brother Ronald and was educated in the Johnstown public school system. As a student, she always had a deep appreciation for the arts and educating children. As a child she took ballet and tap lessons and learned to play both the piano and clarinet. As a high school student, she played clarinet in the marching band for her beloved Johnstown High.

After graduation, she attended Harcum Jr. college where she earned an associate's in Education and later attended Millersville State college for teachers in Millersville PA. While in pursuit of her degree she became pregnant with her first son Jason David. Determined to finish her education she made arrangements with family to finish her bachelor’s degree and then her Master’s in Education from what is now known as Millersville University.

Upon graduation, she moved to Pittsburgh PA to start a life with her son and became a Special Education teacher at Friendship Academy in the Bloomfield area of Pittsburgh. As a teacher she touched many lives developed life-long bonds with several of her students. A few years later she married and gave birth to her second son Adam Joseph. When Adam was still an infant she divorced and was a single parent to two young boys. She kept the boys busy in sports making it clear that education was their primary focus and top priority. She attended all their games, piano recitals, karate tournament, and events. During so, she met Jerry Sterling who she dated and eventually married in 1987. His son Emmanuel Scott became the third son to her trio of boys.

Wanda and Jerry continued to support their sons in their endeavors while continuing to celebrate themselves by taking yearly trips to destinations and islands around the world.  Around 1994 Wanda contracted Cancer and was forced to retire from the school system where she worked for almost 30 years. Throughout her challenges, she continued to support her children and eventually grandchildren, in every way, making them the topic of most all her conversations.

On July 28, 2021, Wanda passed away due to several health complications accumulated over the years that stemmed from her original diagnosis. She is survived by her husband of 34 years Jerry Sterling, her brother Ronald Wright, her sons Jason Wright (Sasha), Emmanuel Sterling, and Adam Epperson as well as her three grandchildren Hanna Bollinger, Laila Wright, and Isaiah Wright.

HOMEGOING SERVICE WILL BE PRIVATE. DUE TO COVID, ALL VISITORS ARE ASKED TO WEAR MASKS AND SOCIAL DISTANCE.

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