Obituary of Emily Eileen (Matson) Onderko

Emily Eileen (Matson) Onderko Emily Eileen (Matson) Onderko, age 42, died unexpectedly on Monday, December 11, 2023. Born on February 21, 1981 and raised in Erie, Pennsylvania, the daughter of Thomas and Patricia Matson, Emily is survived by her loving husband, Ryan, her children Kyle and Emily Onderko, her parents, her sister, Carrie (Jeff) Froess, and her brother, Travis (Brittany) Matson, her in-laws, Bill and Darla Onderko, and brother-in-law, Jason Onderko (Heather), and all her loving nieces and nephews. Emily was a 1999 graduate of Mercyhurst Preparatory School and a graduate of La Roche University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She traveled extensively with her siblings and parents during her teenage years, shaping her taste for adventure and developing a curious nature that created a strong foundation for her career in journalism. She discovered her passion for television news during an internship with KDKA in Pittsburgh during her time at LaRoche. Emily returned home to Erie and began her broadcasting career at WJET-TV before joining the Erie News Now team, which has been her television family for nearly 20 years. Known among her colleagues as a leader in the newsroom, Emily was an award-winning producer, reporter, and anchor for both local and international news broadcasts from the Lilly Broadcasting studios. She’ll be remembered professionally for her commitment to community reporting and the great joy she derived from telling stories that impacted the lives of those whose stories she told, as well as her viewers. In recent years, she especially loved anchoring the 7:00 pm news with her dear friend John Stehlin. Alongside her husband, Ryan, Emily loved the company of family, and a great crew of close friends, especially Jesse and Mike (Fuzzy) Armant, traveling throughout the United States and abroad, attending concerts and events, and boating on Lake Erie. Emily also loved and celebrated the years she spent helping to raise their children, Kyle and Emily. And just this year, she welcomed a new addition to her family by opening their home to Matthew Shaefer, a young Erie Otter’s player. In addition, Emily could not see an animal in need without stepping in, resulting in the adoption of several dogs, chickens, and a cat over the years. In the days since Emily’s passing, many have reflected how she brightened each space she entered, providing endless light and warmth to those who surrounded her as well as those who casually crossed her path. Emily was preceded in death by her daughter, Kayla Onderko, her beloved cousin Tricia McAndrew, her maternal grandparents, William P. (Bill) and Mary Alice (“GG”) McAndrew, and her paternal grandparents, John T. (Jack) and Genevieve (Jean) Matson. Her countless family, friends and coworkers will miss her eternally. Friends will be received at the Dusckas-Martin Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 4216 Sterrettania Road, on Friday, December 15, 2023 from 3 pm to 8 pm. A Funeral Mass will be held Saturday, December 16, 2023 at 10 am at Saint Jude the Apostle Church, 2801 W. 6th St, Erie, PA. Out of respect for family and friends with compromised immunity, those with signs of illness are asked to wear a mask or consider paying their respects in an alternate manner. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Emily’s name to Lucy’s First Step, P.O. Box 9372 Erie, PA 16505 or donate online at lucysfirststep.org.