Juanita Pirog

Juanita Celine Pirog, 78 of Independence, MO passed away Wednesday, October 20, 2011 at home with her husband and 4 daughters at her side. Memorial Mass shall be at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, October 26, 2011 at Nativity of Mary Catholic Church, 10017 E. 36th Terr., Independence, MO. Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m., until service time Wednesday at the church. Celine was born October 3, 1933 in Kansas City, MO to Milford and Violet (Salmon) Toman. She is survived by her husband John and four daughters, Michele Perrin (Bruce), Janet Harrison (Robert), Karen Pirog and Teresa Pirog; four grandchildren, Brian Perrin, Michael Bramel, Melissa Taylor (Jamie) and Courtney Perrin. Celine has two sisters, Connie Kiefer (Mickey) and Donna Hutton (Mike) and a number of nieces and nephews. She went to work for the Dept. of Parks and Recreation, City of Independence in 1975 and retired in 1994 as manager of the Roger T. Sermon Community Center. While employed and as a retiree, Celine maintained active participation with several groups associated with the City of Independence; Independence Cultural Arts Coalition, The Citizen’s Civic and Cultural Committee, presently serving as President, and working in conjunction with the Independence Arts Association to improve the annual “Festival of Color” Youth Art Show. It was 29 years ago that Little Arts and Crafts Show began under the guidance of Celine. Celine sat on the board of Powerhouse Theatre Foundation. She was also instrumental in creating “The Enchanted Forest” a children’s Halloween event in the George Owens Nature Park in Independence. Celine started numerous other programs and for many years she taught arts, crafts and aerobics. For 35 plus years, this small group, and now smaller group, of “young” ladies, would meet on the 1st Friday of each month for their Bingo Luncheon. Neither sleet nor snow nor etc. could keep these ladies away from their social gathering. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to the either Nativity of Mary Catholic Church or St. Marks Catholic Church. The family wishes to their gratitude to the staff of Grace Hospice for their care and concern for Celine in her final days.