Lana S. Creal, 80. a resident of Warren, PA, passed away on Saturday, September 14, 2024, at the John and Orpha Blair Hospice House after beating breast cancer and living for over five years with stage four pancreatic cancer.
Lana was born in Jamestown, NY, on November 10, 1943, to the late Edward and Hazel A. Shield. She was a lifelong Warren resident and the valedictorian of the 1961 Warren Area High School class. She graduated from Allegheny College in 1965 with a degree in Mathematics and from Penn State University with a Master of Science in Mathematical Statistics in 1969.
Throughout her career, Lana accomplished a great deal, initially teaching mathematics at Warren Area High School and then focusing on computer coding and systems design. Having worked as an IBM Business Partner, she founded Creal Computing, where she developed, programmed, and implemented complete software systems for many regional businesses, including Whirley Industries, Chautauqua Institution, and Westbury United Methodist Community. In the mid-1990s, Lana co-founded PennCom with two close friends to bring internet services to Warren. She eventually retired from Whirley Industries, where she served as IT Manager.
She was proud to live in Warren and enjoyed engaging with her community through volunteer leadership. For many years, she served on the Vestry and as Treasurer of Trinity Memorial Church. She was also a Board Member and Trustee of the YMCA and a longtime member of the Warren Shakespeare Club. Lana taught bridge and played competitively every day, achieving the rank of Ruby Life Master.
Lana loved golf. She served on the Board of Directors of Conewango Valley Country Club, where she won numerous golf tournaments, including the Women’s Club Championship, the Women’s Senior Club Championship, and the Steeplechase. In her later years, she played regularly at Cable Hollow Golf Course. She enjoyed golf trips with family and friends, most memorably to Scotland (at Crail), England, and Ireland.
Lana desired to share her pride in her three children, their accomplishments, and their experiences living abroad in Hungary, the Netherlands, and Hong Kong. She cherished her travels abroad, visiting and accompanying her children and grandchildren.
Lana is survived by her three children, Marisa C. (Kurt) Smith of Warren, PA, Case C. (Adel) Creal of Snoqualmie, WA, and Drew D. (Cynthia) Creal of Champagne, IL; six grandchildren Elin C. Smith of Warren, PA, Simon P. Smith of Los Angeles, CA, Gareth E. Smith of Rochester, NY, Marco Creal and Sylvan Creal of Snoqualmie, WA, and Olivia Creal of Champagne, IL. Lana is survived by one brother, Dr. Dennis E. (Reissa) Shield of Clinton, CT, and by her longtime partner, David Berdine of Warren, PA. In addition to her parents, Lana was preceded in death, in 1997, by her husband Christopher B. Creal whom she married on August 19, 1967.Visiting hours will be held on Saturday, September 21, 2024, from 9AM to 11AM at Trinity Memorial Church, after which a memorial service will be held with Father Matthew Scott officiating. Interment will be In Oakland Cemetery following the service. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to place memorials may do so to a charity of their choice. E-mail condolences may be sent by visiting www.lewisfuneralhomeinc.com. The Donald E. Lewis Funeral Home, Inc. has been entrusted with funeral arrangements.