Mary Helen Lapushansky

COLUMBUS — Mary Helen Lapushansky, 76, formerly of Center Road in Poland, passed away peacefully Wednesday evening, April 15, 2026, surrounded by loved ones at the Claremont Retirement Village in Columbus.

Born Feb. 19, 1950, in Youngstown, to Joseph and Mary Kascak, Mary Helen grew up as the only girl alongside four brothers. She graduated from Austintown Fitch High School in 1968 and earned her degree in nursing from Choffin Nursing School in Youngstown. She worked as a surgical intensive care nurse in hospitals in Youngstown and Houston, Texas, where she thrived in the fast-paced nursing environment of Ben Taub Trauma Center.

Mary Helen married Robert “Labo” Lapushansky in 1973. They were married for 19 years and had two children together. After relocating back to Ohio in 1992, she left the hospital setting to become a head nurse for the Ohio State Penitentiary. Mary Helen was known for her smile, her loving nature, her dry sense of humor, her fierce independence, her passion for nursing and her deep devotion to her kids. She loved her cats and animals, bird watching, shopping and cheering on her two children. Above all, Mary Helen cherished her time spent with her family, especially her short time with her granddaughter, Raven.

She is survived by her two children, Bobbi Lapushansky of Houston, Texas, and Jason Lapushansky (Sue Dorney) of Columbus; her beloved and only granddaughter, Raven Rose Lapushansky of Houston; her brother, Edward (Anne) Kascak of Alvin, Texas; and several nieces, nephews and friends.

Mary Helen was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Mary Kascak; her brothers, Joe Kascak, Nick Kascak and Steve Kascak; her two kitties, Sophie and Izzy; as well as several friends over the years.

Her daughter and son would like to extend a sincere, heartfelt thank you to the nurses and staff at the Claremont Retirement Village and National Church Residences Hospice Care for providing such kind and compassionate care in her last days.

A celebration of Mary Helen's life will be held Saturday, July 18, 2026, from noon to 2 p.m. at Kinnick Funeral Home, 477 N. Meridian Rd., Youngstown, where a service will be held at 1:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to Raven's "Gramma Girl" College Fund at https://gofund.me/217439af9, as we know Mom would want Raven to pursue her dreams, as she helped support us in ours.