Connie Piroska

Cornelia “Connie” Miller Piroska, age 84, of Lavonia, Georgia, passed away on Friday, October 2, 2026, at Cottonwood Estates Gracious Retirement Living in Alpharetta.

Connie was born on May 19, 1942, in Chamblee, Georgia, to the late Judson Hughes Wright and Eunice Lucille Burton Wright. She attended Chamblee High School and, after graduating, began a long career with Southern Bell, which later became AT&T. She retired after 36 years of service.

Connie was a devoted mother to her daughters, Sabrina and Shana. After becoming a single mother in 1981,she dedicated herself to working, providing for, and caring for her girls. She embraced the roles of both mother and father and always made sure her daughters had everything they needed.

In 1988, Connie met Joseph “Joe” Piroska Jr. while commuting to work. They shared 30 years of marriage. After retiring from AT&T, Connie and Joe moved to Lake Hartwell, where they enjoyed life on the lake, traveling, and building a life together.

Connie was a loving grandmother and adored her grandchildren. She cherished every opportunity to spend time with them.

During the final years of her life, as dementia changed much of the woman her family had always known, Connie remained surrounded by love and continued to be her sweet, kind self. She was blessed with wonderful caregivers for the past 22 months.

Connie is survived by her husband of 30 years, Joseph Piroska Jr.; her daughters, Sabrina Lyn Groshek (Roy) and Shana Lea Tierney (Tim); and her grandchildren, Evan Thomas Oswald, Anna Kaitlyn Oswald, Matthew James Tierney, and Adam Thomas Tierney.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her siblings, Ronald Wright and Eleanor Ann Wright.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, October 10, 2026, at the funeral home chapel. Burial will follow at Lavonia City–Burgess Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Saturday, October 10, beginning at 11 a.m.

Strickland Funeral Home of Lavonia is in charge of the arrangements. To sign the online guest register please visit stricklandfh.com.