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Johanna "Jen" Gaudino, 99, of Triadelphia died on August 8, 2025.
She is preceded by her parents, Domenico and Anna Gaudino, as well as her brother, Nick Gaudino and his wife, Alice Tominack Gaudino. Johanna was born in and continuously resided in the home in Triadelphia purchased by her parents in 1925. Her parents operated the Triadelphia Bakery on the first floor of the family home where she and her brother, Nick also worked.
After graduation from Triadelphia High School in 1943, she was employed by the Triadelphia Post Office, which at that time was located in the rear of the Wagner Grocery Store. She helped to move the office to the current building in 1957. In 1964, she was nominated by President Lyndon Johnson and was confirmed by the U.S. Senate to serve as Postmaster. She retired after 47 years of service in 1990.
Known as "Jen," she walked approximately ¢ mile to work and home for lunch and back again every day, six days a week for 47 years. After retirement, she regularly walked 3 miles on the Wheeling Heritage Trail. She walked nearly every day until the age of 96 to the Post Office to retrieve her mail.
Even after her retirement, Jen attended the annual National Postmasters' Conventions held at various locations throughout the county, and the annual State Conventions at various locations in West Virginia. She traveled several times to visit relatives in the Piedmonte region of Italy. Her first visit was with her mother aboard the Ocean Liner, the Christopher Columbus in 1960.
Jen voted in person in every election, except for the last. As she was considered a Federal Employee, she never disclosed for whom she voted. Jen was an avid reader and enjoyed classic movies. She claims to have seen "Gone with the Wind" in the theater eight times. When her nephews were children, she took all four to the theater to see every Disney movie, which was always followed by dessert at Elbys. She was known to her many family members, and even to all who know them, as "Aunt Jen."
Jen is survived by her nephews David Gaudino of Wheeling, Thomas Gaudino (Tess) of Wheeling, Greory Gaudino (Annette) of Triadelphia, and Michael Gaudino (Teresa) of Grand Haven, Michigan, as well as many great and great, great nieces and nephews.
Friends will be received at Altmeyer Funeral Home, 154 Kruger Street, Wheeling, WV on Wednesday, August 13 from 3 pm until the vigil at 7 pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Our Lady of Seven Dolores Catholic Church in Triadelphia on Thursday, August 14 at 10 AM with Father Jeeson. Memorial contributions to the Triadelphia Long Term Flood Relief Fund can be made in memory of Aunt Jen by visiting www.TMCFunding.com or by mail to the United Way of the Upper Ohio Valley, 1307 Chapline St, Wheeling, WV 26003.