Mary M. Stanko, 95, Active Parishioner of St. Nicholas Byzantine Rite Catholic Church

Born in Sykesville, Pennsylvania on October 1, 1924, Mary had been a resident of Lorain since 1928.

A 1943-A graduate of Lorain High School, she had been employed as a sales associate for the Smith and Gerhart Department Store for seventeen years; she retired from that position in 1960. She then worked for five additional years as a waitress at the Pleasant Restaurant formerly located in the Broadway Building in Lorain

Mary was an active parishioner of St. Nicholas Byzantine Rite Catholic Church where she had been heavily involved in church activities since the age of fifteen. She was a member and Past President of the Ladies Guild as well as a member and past officer of the Rosary Society. Mary also served as Head Hostess at church functions, as a bingo volunteer, and as a member and former officer of the P.T.A. and P.T.U at St. Nicholas School. In addition, she was a member of Greek Catholic Union Lodge # 77.

When not involved with church activities, Mary served as a volunteer for fundraising campaigns for the March of Dimes, American Cancer Society, Muscular Dystrophy Association, and the American Heart Association. She also enjoyed league bowling.

She is survived by daughter Georgene Matus of Amherst. and son Gary Stanko of Lorain along with son-in-law Steve Matus, Jr. and daughter-in-law Debbie Reinhardt. She also leaves grandchildren Kristina, Heidi (Jim), Stephanie, and Kyle (Kristen), great grandchildren Brady, Emma, Blake, and Sloane as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband George in 2005, son Gerald “Buddy” in 2004, parents George and Anna (nee Matina) Demyan, sisters Helen Dougan and Anna Gaydosh, and brothers Joseph, John, Michael, and Peter Demyan.

Mary’s family would like to acknowledge the nurses, aides, and staff at Mercy New Life Hospice for the loving care that they provided.

Visitation will be Sunday from 3:00 until 7:00 p.m. in the Gluvna-Shimo-Hromada Funeral Chapel, 3224 Broadway Avenue, Lorain. A Parastas service will be conducted there at 6:00 p.m. Funeral services will be Monday beginning with Panachida at 10:00 a.m. in the funeral chapel. The Divine Liturgy will follow at 10:30 a.m. in St. Nicholas Byzantine Rite Catholic Church, 2711 West 40th Street, Lorain. The Very Reverend Andrew Nagrant, pastor of the parish will officiate. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery.

To share your memories and condolences with Mary’s family, please visit www.gluvna.net.