86-Year-Old Steelers Fan Has Wish to Attend Game Granted!

Pauline “Chi Chi” Rupinsky with niece, Kathie Oberst at Steelers’ game.Pauline “Chi Chi” Rupinsky had her wish to see a Steelers’ game in person granted when she attended the home opener on Sunday, September 12, 2010, thanks to national nonprofit Twilight Wish Foundation.

Rupinsky, 86, has lived her whole life in Western Pennsylvania, working for several years at the Heinz factory and taking care of her husband who contracted malaria after returning from World War II.  She has devoted her whole life to taking care of others, including raising her own daughter and taking in two nieces and the two children of a neighbor who had passed away, raising them all as her own.  According to her niece, Kathie Oberst, who submitted the wish application on her behalf, “Chi Chi always sacrificed her own needs, always putting others first.  She never took a vacation or had a manicure.  Her clothes were always hand-me-downs and haircuts were rare.  In spite of this, she is always happy-go-lucky and giving to others.”

Rupinsky’s simple wish came true when she attended her first ever Steelers game with Oberst.  Thanks to the generosity of the Steelers’ organization, Rupinsky had pre-game access and met Hines Ward who signed her #86 jersey.  Special thanks goes to Jeff Tushar of ARAMARK who donated the tickets for Rupinsky and to Alco Parking who donated the parking pass for Rupinsky.