Freda M. Jagoda

Surrounded by love, Freda M. Engel Jagoda, of Washington, died on Tuesday, October 1, 2024, in UPMC Magee-Women’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, following a hard-fought, two-year battle with ovarian cancer, just shy of her 75th birthday. She was born October 9, 1949, in Canonsburg, the third daughter of the late Herman J. and Edna McConnell Engel. A 1967 graduate of Canon-McMillan High School, Freda spent most of her life as a homemaker. To the family she raised and cherished until her last day, she was the bedrock of love, support and strength, had a fantastic sense of humor and was known for her “famous” peanut butter meltaways and lemon squares. Freda’s favorite job title was “mimi,” and she never missed her grandchildren’s various sporting events or band performances. She also enjoyed puzzle books, her “stories,” bowling, and was an avid fan of Wash High Football, where she and Joe were decades-long season ticket holders. On June 25, 1977, in Old Concord Church, she married Joseph P. Jagoda, Jr., who survives. Left to remember their beautiful mother are a son, Darren (Lisa) Chipps of McDonald; a daughter, Stephanie (Matt) Henderson of Washington; stepdaughters Karrie (Steve) Schott of Coraopolis and Eva (Bill) Sala of Monongahela; siblings Sandra (Lee) Powell of Claysville, Beverly (the late Tom) Evans of Canonsburg, Elaine (John) Tummino of McDonald and Bradley (Wendy) Engel of Canonsburg; sisters-in-law Dolores (the late Joe) McClelland of Houston, Joann (the late Roger) Zackfia of Morocco, Ind., and Mona (the late Ed) Jagoda of Rensselaer, Ind.; grandchildren Stevan (Shannon) Schott, Alyssa (Billy) Smith, Easton Chipps, Kylie Chipps, Morgan Henderson, Joey Henderson, Billy, Nicky and Leah Sala; three great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews and cousins; and her best friend, Judy Sopcak. Family and friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday, October 6, 2024, in William G. Neal Funeral Homes, Ltd., 925 Allison Avenue, Washington, where services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, October 7, 2024. Interment will follow in Washington Cemetery. If so desired, donations may be made in Freda’s honor to St. Jude’s Hospital for Children.