Doris "Nina" Peganoff Litowkin

Doris (Nina) McDonson Peganoff Litowkin passed away peacefully on Monday, June 19, 2023 in her home at the age of 93.  Born in Marianna, PA to Kathryn and William McDonson on January 27, 1930, she moved to Erie in 1950 where she married Joseph R. Peganoff and raised her family.

Doris attended school at West Bethlehem High and was known for her beautiful singing voice.  She frequently sang at school programs and was proud to sing a solo at her graduation.  She later attended Penn Commercial College in Washington, PA where she received a degree in accounting.

Once settled in Erie, she worked in industry and later retired from American Sterilizer where she was employed for 22 years.  Having been widowed in 1979, she was blessed to once again find love and married her beloved Alexander “Sauser” Litowkin.  Together, they traveled throughout the US and were very active and devoted to membership at the Russian Orthodox Church of the Holy Nativity. There was always an open door to help care for grandchildren and assist friends. Nina was a member of the Russian Orthodox Church of the Holy Nativity Ladies Axillary and was proudly known as being one of church’s “baking ladies”.   She was attentive to her flower gardens and her spring and summer floral gardens routinely showcased the neighborhood.  Upon retirement, she became an avid reader consuming numerous books, always keeping several more on hand to read once one book was finished.  She will be remembered by friends and relatives by her meticulous attention to and acknowledgment of their life events.  Family and friends were lovingly remembered through cards and notes sent throughout the years acknowledging holidays, birthdays and special events. Nina was very involved with her family, hosting holidays and celebrations.  She frequently vacationed with her daughter, Kathy and her late son-in-law Daniel Dubowski and their family.  She was a football fan well into her 80’s attending stadium games cheering on her grandson, Nicholas, from the bleachers as he played in high school and college.

Nina is survived by her devoted daughter Kathy Peganoff Ellis Dubowski of Erie. PA., and step-children Michael Litowkin and his wife Lisa of Plano, TX; Gretchen Litowkin Tome and her husband Kevin of Erie, PA; and David Litowkin and his wife Elizabeth of Erie, PA.  She was the loving grandmother “Grama” to Jeffrey Ellis of Raleigh, NC; Nicholas Dubowski of Erie, PA; Matthew Dubowski of Erie, PA; Joseph Dubowski of Erie, PA; Patrick Dubowski of Erie; Brian Peganoff of Sacramento, CA; Megan Zimmerman of Pennsburg, PA; Matthew Litowkin of Dillon, CO; Marissa Litowkin of Plano, TX; Steven Tome of Nashville, TN and Alexandra Litowkin of Erie, PA.  She was further a great- grandmother “Gigi” leaving behind several great- grand-children and a number of loved nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents William and Kathryn McDonson, brother, Ronald McDonson, husbands Joseph Peganoff and Alexander Litowkin and beloved son Thomas Joseph Peganoff.

Family and friends are invited to pay their respects at the Russian Orthodox Church of the Holy Nativity, 251 E. Front St., Erie, PA., on Thursday, June 22^nd from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM.  A Funeral Service will follow at 11:00 AM. Burial will be in St. John the Divine Cemetery.

A special thanks go to the caring staff at the UPMC Cancer Center and Family Hospice of Erie for their brief assistance and care.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in her name to the Church of the Nativity Endowment Fund.

Arrangements are under the care of  BurtonQuinnScott Cremation and Funeral Services.