Oral history of Joanna Gusta, 1 of 2

Identifier:

4224.GustaJoanna.AudioInt.001.6.21.16

Title:

Oral history of Joanna Gusta, 1 of 2

Date:

2016-06-21

Creator:

Gusta, Joanna

Contributor:

Hilliard, Emily

Description:

Joanna Gusta (November 13, 1931-March 9, 2020) was a Wheeling, WV native and elder in Wheelings Greek community. She was an alumni of Bethany College a member of St. John, The Divine Greek Orthodox Church. In this interview, she speaks about her memories of the Greek community in Wheeling, and the Wheeling immigrant community in general. Her obituary is pasted below. Joanna Gusta, 88, resident of Wheeling, WV, passed away Monday, March 9, 2020 at Good Shepherd Nursing Home.She was born in Wheeling on November 13, 1931, daughter of the late Gero and Helen Papazoglou Gusta George. After her fathers passing, Joanna and her mother resided with the John Anast family in Wheeling until Mrs. Gustas marriage to Mike George.Joanna was a graduate of Bethany College and a member of Zeta Tau Alpha, Theta Chapter. She retired in 1988 with 30 years of service with the WV Department of Occupation working in the Employment Security and Unemployment Compensation Department. Prior to her employment with the State of WV, Joanna was employed at Bloch Brothers Tobacco Company in the Export Department. She was a member of St. John, The Divine Greek Orthodox Church where she was a longtime member and former director of the church choir and was a volunteer for church activities. She was a member of the Wheeling Civic Garden Center and a volunteer for the tax preparation group at the Ohio County Library. Most of all, Joanna was a beloved neighbor and friend.In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her stepfather, Mike George. Surviving are two cousins, Rev. and Mrs. Stephan Knight of Santee, CA and Desi Gallmeister of Los Gatos, CA.

Subject:

Cooking, Greek, Greek American women, Wheeling, W.Va., Orthodox Eastern Church

Rights:

In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted

Location:

Wheeling (W. Va.)

Format:

audio/wav

Language:

English

Source:

A&M 4224, West Virginia Folklife Program Collection