Dr. Justine Zbalishen Perhosky, Ph.D., left with the angels on February 18, 2026, surrounded by her family who loved and cherished her, leaving a void that will be impossible to fill.

Born in 1935, in Atlasburg, PA to Peter and Rosalia Zbalishen, Justine developed a deep devotion to her faith and family. She prayed hard for a sister, Elizabeth (Zbalishen) Dlugos, whom she loved like no other. She took great pride in education and excelled on many levels. She graduated from Carnegie High School in 1953, earned her RN from St. Joseph’s School of Nursing in 1956, her BSN from Duquesne University in 1961, her MSN from St. John’s University in New York in 1963, and later completed her Ph.D. at the University of Pittsburgh in 1987.

Justine loved the nursing profession and was known for her work ethic, leadership, and unwavering integrity. She was a member of Sigma Theta Tau Honor Society of Nursing, the Pennsylvania Nursing Association, and the Pennsylvania League for Nursing.

She began her career as a staff nurse in the nursery at St. Joseph’s Hospital and later served as a clinical instructor at Woodville State Hospital, where she secured a National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) grant for an innovative psychiatric aide training program. In 1963, she assisted in developing the Associate Degree Program at Point Park College. She went on to serve as Associate Professor at Duquesne University, Associate Director of Nursing at Mayview State Hospital, and adjunct faculty member at the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing and Waynesburg College.

In 1987, she was appointed by the Pennsylvania Nursing Association to serve on the Advisory Committee to the State Joint Commission on Mental Health Law regarding service delivery. She proudly became the first nurse to serve on the St. Clair Hospital Board of Directors and most recently held the title of Director Emeritus. She also served on the Board of Directors for Chartiers Mental Health. She was an active member of the Ladies of Charity at Saint Raphael Church.

Love and dedication had no boundaries when it came to Justine’s family. She loved her late parents and her husband Paul Perhosky, for whom she provided loving nursing care to all of them in their final years.

She is survived by her loving sister and brother-in-law, Elizabeth and Vincent Dlugos; her nieces and nephews: Godchild Maria (Terrence) Steiner, Joy (Vyom) Bhuta, Tom (Dina) Dlugos, Tim (Nicole) Dlugos, and Terrence (Amanda) Dlugos; Godchild Natalie Nettles; Maria Ziolkowski; many nieces and nephews in the Perhosky family; and her great-nieces and nephews, Makenzie, Noah, Maggie, Mia, Melina, Olivia, Lilia, Sara, Evan, Alex, Vivian, Joshua, Jonathan, and Jacob.

Justine cherished time with family and friends at her cabin on Davey Hill, boating along the rivers of Pittsburgh and at Lake Kinzua. She loved hosting New Year’s Eve celebrations, making her famous Christmas jello, and praying fervently for everyone’s needs—whether for success on an exam or for good health.

She had a rare gift for turning strangers into fast friends, counseling with wisdom and showing genuine personal interest in everyone she met. She will be deeply missed and now stands as a warrior in Heaven, faithfully carrying out God’s will.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the SZAFRANSKI-EBERLEIN FUNERAL HOME INC., where family and friends will be received on Sunday, February 22, 2026 from 12:00pm - 3:00pm and 5:00pm - 8:00pm at 101 Third St., Carnegie. A Parastas Service will be held at the funeral home on Sunday evening at 7pm. Divine Liturgy will be celebrated in Holy Trinity Ukrainian Catholic Church on Monday, February 23, 2026 at 10:00am. Following Mass, Justine will be laid to rest next to her husband, Paul, in Holy Trinity Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a tax-deductible donation in Justine's name to:
Holy Protection of the Mother of God
PO Box 761
Carnegie Pa
15106

www.szafranski-eberleinfuneralhome.com (412)276-1107