Pauline Punya Fitz, born Nov. 9, 1920, in McKeesport, died Thursday.

She was the best friend and devoted wife of 64 years of John L. Fitz "Rabbit"; loving mother of Linda Fitz (Bob Elliott) and Jeanne Fitz (Craig Rowland); beloved grandmother of IIan, Aaron, Owen and Evan Elliott; great-grandmother of 6; and aunt of many nieces and nephews.

Pun's now on the other side with her parents, Andrew Solvay and Anna Totin Solvay; 12 siblings; beagles, Archie, Barney and Danny Boy; and Bad Boy, her pigeon.

Pun had a loving soul and a determined spirit and lived life on her own terms. She taught her kids to never quit and showed the meaning of accomplishment by earning her high school diploma long after her classmates and then going on to graduate from beautician school. She also worked many years in the pediatrics department at the McKeesport Hospital.

She hated to cook but was a master at making toll house cookies. She loved to sew, and like the sequins she put on all her shirts, sparkled.

Pun and Rab shared a special place in the mountains, where they hauled water from the spring and tromped the woods. In the fall, she would dress the dogs in blaze orange vests to keep them safe during hunting season.

If God made one better, he kept her for himself. We love you, Mom.

<B>FITZ </B>— Friends of Pauline Punya Fitz, who died Thursday, Aug. 23, 2007, will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday and from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the <B>Strifflers of White Oak Cremation and Mortuary Services</B>, 1100 Lincoln Way, White Oak. Memorial services will be at 6 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home with the Rev. Donald Voss officiating. Divine Liturgy with a Mass a Christian burial will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Transfiguration of Our Lord Byzantine Catholic Church. Burial will be at the McKeesport and Versailles Cemetery.Contributions may be made in her memory to the Humane Society of Western Pa., 1101 Western Ave., North Side, Pgh, PA, c/o Strifflers at 600 Market St., McKeesport, PA 15132.