Barbara Savelli

     Barbara Wisniewski Conner Savelli, 76, of Erie and formerly of Lily Dale, NY, died unexpectedly Saturday, December 27, 2014, at UPMC Hamot.  She was born August 4, 1938, in Erie, daughter of the late Bertha Elonich Wisniewski.  She attended Academy High School and majored in accounting at Frederick Community College, Frederick, MD, and studied philosophy at Morris-Pratt Institute, Lily Dale, NY.  Barbara was a bookkeeper for the YMCA in various locations and more recently was a psychic medium practicing in Lily Dale, NY (a spiritualist community).  In 1979 she helped found the first spiritualist church in Erie which was named The Church of Spiritual Understanding.  She was a member of Lily Dale Spiritualist Church, Lily Dale Assembly, and Medium League in Lily Dale; was a life member of Siebenbuerger Ladies Auxiliary; and enjoyed gardening, crafts, painting and making cookies with her great-granddaughter Allison.
     In addition to her mother, she was preceded in death by her stepfather, Joseph Pifko; her first husband, Thomas Conner, Jr. in 1981; her second husband, John Savelli, Sr. in 2000; her companion, Charles "Gibby" Harris in 2014; and two brothers, Alan and Richard Wisniewski.
     Survivors include a daughter, Deborah Van Tassel and husband Fred of Erie; three sons, Michael Conner and wife Sue, and Dennis Conner, all of Erie, and Patrick Conner and wife Valerie of Union City; seven grandchildren, Meggan Mobilia and husband Michael, Patrick Conner, Michael Conner, John Irwin, Charles Bargelski, Nichole Stroup and Tara Brewer, all of Erie; two great-granddaughters, Allison Mobilia and Desylia Greer of Erie; several nieces and nephews; and her extended family the Dougans.
     Friends may call at the Scott Funeral Home, 2104 Myrtle St., Tuesday from 1 p.m. until the time of service there at 5 p.m.  The Rev. Ronald R. Skowronski of Lily Dale Spiritualist Church will officiate.  Private internment will be at Erie Cemetery.  Memorials may be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children, 1645 W. 8th St., Erie, PA 16505; or to the Sight Center of NW PA, 2545 W. 26th St., Erie, PA 16506.