Mary A. Sopko Chlysta

Mary A. (Sopko) Chlysta went to Heaven on June 20th, 2015, just one day past her 97th birthday. She was born in Youngstown, Ohio, the daughter of John and Anna Sopko. Mary was very close to her 5 siblings and cherished the value of family.

After graduation from high school, she wanted to be a nurse. However, this was not to be. She became a seamstress making uniforms for our soldiers during World War II. Mary met her husband, Walter Michael, at the beach at Lake Milton. They were happily married for 67 years. They resided in Ravenna where Mary became a mother of four children to whom she showed great love and affection.

She was an avid farmer, gardener, canner, and gourmet cook. As a member of the Holy Ghost Ukrainian Catholic Church, she annually donated her home-made grated horseradish beets (raised in her garden) for the Church’s Easter Dinner. Because she grew up during the Great Depression under meager conditions, she became very resourceful in all aspects of life. She could create a lavish meal from mere staples. Mary had a great love and respect for nature and was constantly accompanied by her beloved dog, Toby.

Later in her life, despite the rigors of old age, she enjoyed working as a receptionist in her daughter’s dental practice in Ravenna. She enjoyed very much interacting with the patients, many of which she knew by first name. Her husband died in 2007 and Mary spent the last 8 years of her life living with her devoted daughter who cared for her selflessly.

When Mary came into this world, her father exclaimed, “Schmek!” which is Slovak for “Damn!” because he wanted a boy. This became a family joke and very ironic because Mary was a precious little girl who grew up to sow more love in the world than her father had ever imagined. True to her tough spirit, and love of life, her last spoken word to the family (while seriously ill) was, “Schmek!”

Mary was preceded in death by her loving husband, Walter Michael Chlysta; parents, John and Anna Sopko; sister, Anna Molnar; and brothers, Albert Sopko, John Sopko and Gerald Sopko.

She is survived by sibling Sister Francis Marie Sopko, an Ursuline nun, and four children: Walter M. (Louise) Chlysta Jr., Russell Chlysta MD, Mary Ann Chlysta DDS, and Michael C. (Lori) Chlysta; her grandchildren: Valerie (Gary) Reed ARNP. Walter J. (Carol) Chlysta MD, Christopher Chlysta, Nicholas (Nicole) Chlysta JD, Michael Ryan Chlysta, and Alex Chlysta. She was as sharp as a tack until the end and lovingly interacted with her great-grandchildren: Timothy Tupta, Brendin Tupta, Lauren Chlysta, Sarah Chlysta, Julia Chlysta, and Olivia Chlysta, and they all loved her very much.

Calling hours will be from 5:00 to 7:00pm on Wednesday evening, June 24, 2015 at Wood-Kortright-Borkoski Funeral Home, 703 E. Main St., Ravenna. A funeral service officiated by Reverend David Misbrener will be held on Thursday, June 25th at Wood-Kortright-Borkoski Funeral Home at 11:00am followed by interment at Maple Grove Cemetery in Ravenna.

Condolences and memories may be shared at www.wood-kortright-borkoski.com. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Portage County Animal Protective League.