YOUNGSTOWN - Helen Yurchyk, 94, of the city’s west side, passed away peacefully Monday afternoon, Dec. 31, 2018, at her home.
Helen was born June 19, 1924, in Youngstown, a daughter of the late William and Mary Ksenyeh Hrynko, and was a lifelong area resident.
She graduated from Chaney High School in 1943, and worked at General Fireproofing during World War II. She also worked at Kresge Department Store in downtown Youngstown, and was a precinct poll worker for many years.
Helen was a member of Sts. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Youngstown. She belonged to the Eastern Orthodox Women’s Society, Pioneers of Ohio Bell, and a she was a former member of the U.O.L. and Golden Agers.
She married the love of her life, John Yurchyk on July 15, 1950, and spent 34 wonderful years being married to him until his passing on Sept. 23, 1984.
Helen’s family was her pride and joy. The holidays were very special and fun at her home. She enjoyed cooking and buying special gifts for each grandchild. Helen never missed a grandchild’s special event, and she was most proud to see all her children and grandchildren graduate from college.
Helen leaves two daughters, Donna Milonnet of New Jersey and Diane (Dr. Stephen) Begezda of Poland; a son, William (Karen) Yurchyk of Austintown; eight grandchildren, Mary Milonnet of France, Malina Milonnet of New Jersey, Atty. Brittany Yurchyk of Phoenixville, Pa., Johnny Yurchyk (Melanie Lozier) of Brooklyn, New York, First Lieutenant Jake Amon of North Carolina, Allison (Brett) Smith of Austin, Texas, Dr. Alexis Begezda of White Plains, New York, and Abby Begezda of Toledo; a special niece, Lorena Schuchler; and her former daughter-in-law, Dolores Yurchyk.
Helen will always be remembered for her patience and loving advice. Her favorite words to her family were “ya tebe lyubyu” which means “I love you” in Ukrainian.
Besides her husband and parents, her father and mother-in-law, Roman and Mary Yurchyk; a brother, Stephen Hrynko; a sister and brother-in-law, Ann and Lloyd Ewaskiw; a nephew, Lloyd Ewaskiw; and her dear friend, Ann Savarin, are deceased.
Family and friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m., Friday, Jan. 4, at Kinnick Funeral Home, 477 N. Meridian Rd., Youngstown, where a prayer service will be held at 4 p.m.
Funeral services will begin at 9:15 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 5, at the funeral home, and will continue at 10 a.m. at Sts. Peter & Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church on North Belle Vista Avenue in Youngstown.
Committal services will follow at the parish cemetery chapel, and Helen will be laid to rest next to her beloved husband.
Special thanks from Helen’s family to Dr. Ed Miller and Dr. John Koval for the kindness shown and compassionate care given to Helen over the years.
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