Remembering devoted mom who died in Plum explosion: Heather Oravitz was 'a special wife'

Lindsay and Fran Sciullo thought so highly of Heather and Paul Oravitz that they entrusted to the Oravitzes’ daughter what was most precious to them — their two sons.

Taylor Oravitz would babysit the Sciullo boys, Maddox and Brady, when Lindsay and her husband, Fran — educators in the Plum School District — needed someone to watch them.

The Sciullos and Oravitzes were neighbors for about 10 years in the Rustic Ridge neighborhood in Plum. The Oravitz family lived at 141 Rustic Ridge Drive; the Sciullos lived at 143 Rustic Ridge before moving to The Highlands plan about five years ago.

So when the Oravitz home suddenly exploded Saturday morning, Lindsay Sciullo looked on in shock and disbelief.

“They were just a good family,” Sciullo said. “They cared. We would go over for the holidays. They would have an open house for the neighborhood.”

The blast set off a fire that quickly consumed the houses immediately to its left and right — including the Sciullos’ old home. The destruction could be seen from atop a hill in The Highlands.

Heather Oravitz, 51, died in the explosion. Plum’s director of community development, she was one of five people who perished, authorities said.

Paul Oravitz remains hospitalized in the burn unit at UPMC Mercy hospital in Pittsburgh.

“Heather and Paul, both of them, were dedicated to their kids. Cole played hockey. (Cole and Taylor) played soccer. They were always coming and going to games. They were always there for the kids.”

Even when the kids weren’t always their own.

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Paul was an avid supporter of youth soccer in Plum. He was involved with the Plum Youth Soccer organization while Cole and Taylor played, but he remained active long after. He currently is serving as treasurer.

Heather was his biggest supporter, said Fred Lucas, the organization’s president since 1995.

“Paul Oravitz was always there for people. He was a people person,” Lucas said. “He was there for the kids. He was there for anyone who asked for help. I don’t remember Paul ever telling me ‘no’ about anything.

“It takes a special wife — a lot of wives would say, ‘OK, you did your deal. Your kids are out of it. It’s time for you to do something else.’ She said, ‘This is what he loves; as long as he’s happy doing it and it’s for the kids, whatever I can do to help support it,’” Lucas said.

The soccer group considered canceling its kickoff event scheduled for Aug. 25-27. It’s the largest such tournament in Pennsylvania and the fifth largest in the East, Lucas said. This year, 310 teams are scheduled to compete.

“We’re going to do it for these guys,” Lucas said, referring to Paul Oravitz, Kevin Sebunia and Mike Thomas.

Sebunia and Thomas — the borough manager and Oravitz neighbor — were at the Oravitz home at the time of the explosion and also died. They, too, were big boosters of the soccer program, Lucas said.

“(Canceling is) the last thing any of those guys would want,” he said. “They want those kids happy.”

Rafal Kolankowski, the Plum High School boys soccer coach, remembered fondly the Oravitzes’ involvement with the youth program. One of his sons was the same age as Cole Oravitz, he said.

“We all knew each other,” he said. “It’s a blur.”

Heather Oravitz was an avid Pittsburgh sports fan and held a particular penchant for keeping a well-manicured lawn, Fran Sciullo said.

“Heather was a devoted mother to her husband and children,” he said. “She loved her home and yard, as she kept it very meticulous. Heather was a Pittsburgh sports enthusiast, and often we would find ourselves conversing about her children’s activities, then move into the Pittsburgh sports scene.”

A smile came to Lindsay Sciullo’s face when remembering her husband’s and Oravitz’s lawn habits.

“Heather always liked the grass to be even,” she said. “If Fran cut the grass, Heather would cut the grass. If Heather cut the grass, Fran would cut the grass.

“They were just good family people, always willing to lend a hand, always willing to be there.

“I remember when we sold the house (thinking), ‘Are we making the right decision?’ I cried for many, many nights.”

Said Fran Sciullo: “Heather was dedicated to her family, generous and kind — the type of neighbor everyone would be fortunate to have.”