Wisdom Keepers from Lawrenceville United

Barb Kelly

Barb is a lifelong resident of Lawrenceville, and she has always cared deeply about her neighbors and neighborhood. She grew up in the 6th Ward and now lives in the 9th Ward. She was a hairdresser to lots of residents over the years. Barb shares a lot of memories around her childhood, family, and civic engagement. To this day, she serves as a key member of the Lawrenceville Fireworks Committee which puts on Pittsburgh's longest running annual fireworks show. In 2024, it will be the 78th year of fireworks in the neighborhood! Barb is kind and always there to help a neighbor. You can find her portrait on the Wisdom Keepers mural at 48th and Butler.

Lenny Garlicki

Lenny is a lifelong resident of Lawrenceville and is proud to be from the neighborhood. He has been singing for most of his life at Holy Family and the national anthem at the Lawrenceville Independence Day Celebration. Lenny shares memories of working at Pittsburgh Piping, meeting his wife, Marge, and raising his kids in the neighborhood.

Judy Stupka

Judy Stupka is a lifelong resident of the 9th Ward. She shares memories of growing up with her 9 siblings in the neighborhood. She shares a fun memory of riding on a neighbor's pony on her street and the fun of playing in the neighborhood streets. She shares the implications of the neighborhood evolving over time and how she has grown older with her family in the neighborhood.

Jim Petruzzi

Jim shares about growing up in a Lawrenceville that was not so safe and his experiences as a former postal worker. In his reflections, he shares the history of both Lawrenceville and Lawrenceville United. He was involved on the LU Board in the early days and assisted with the Block Watches that were determined to make the neighborhood safer. The work of Jim and fellow neighbors helped to shape Lawrenceville as we know it today.

Jenny Skrinjar

Jenny is a lifelong 10th Ward resident. She reflects on how the neighborhood has changed over the years with regards to homeownership, religion, safety, and family size. Jenny helped to form Lawrenceville United in 2001 with fellow neighbors who were determined to increase neighborhood safety and improve residents' quality of life. She was a leader of the monthly Block Watches and Jenny's advocacy played a large role in making Lawrenceville safer and thriving.