It is with profound sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of our much-beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and best friend Mary Philomena Yurchesyn on Jan. 25th, 2021 at Harbourstone Enhanced Care surrounded by her loving family following a brief illness.
Mena was born in Sydney, on March 14th, 1929, the second eldest of 11 children born to the late Hubert and Phyllis Pettipas. She was 18 when she met the love of her life, John, on a blind date arranged by a fellow friend who thought they’d make “a good pair”. They wed in 1950 and were married 53 years until John’s death in 2003. They began with only their love for each other and with that, they built a remarkable life together along with their 8 children who they loved and supported wholeheartedly. Mena became a homemaker and she devoted her entire life to raising the family and supporting her husband in his many business endeavours on the island.
Mena’s faith in God was strong and prevalent throughout her entire life. Having lost a 14-year-old son in 1968, she was no stranger to intense grief. She faced tragedy and loss with grace and strength. A devout Roman Catholic and a life-long parishioner at the Holy Ghost Ukrainian Catholic Church in Whitney Pier, Mena’s living faith was central to her everyday life. It provided her strength and courage which she paid forward through acts of compassion and family love throughout her life. She cared deeply and meaningfully about others. One could talk with her for hours about anything and she was always there to lend a hand, sage advice, or to worry for you and with you when life threw you a curve. She was a constant in all our lives and this was never more true than after John’s passing 17 years ago when she picked up his reins and became our “rock” bringing her family closer together in the process. One might say that while her beloved Johnnie was the businessman, Mena was the family CEO.
Renowned for her kindness and hospitality to all who entered her home, one could always look forward to her delectable creations over the years; her heavenly carrot cakes and summer pies, tender cabbage rolls, fabulous meat pies and traditional holy bread.
Mena loved the many summers spent at the cottage in Beaver Cove with family and friends and the many winters spent in sunny Florida and other tropical destinations with her beloved Johnnie. Throughout her life, and up until her passing she was sharp, engaged, and had a glorious sense of humour and a sarcastic wit that created much laughter. She was a terrific conversationalist and an avid reader. She loved listening to music and live concerts, especially Daniel O’Donnell and Charley Pride, and thoroughly enjoyed trips to the movie theatres. Mena enjoyed being well-dressed and her hair was always so beautifully styled. She truly never took a bad photo. At 91, she was remarkably tech-savvy and took great pleasure in using her iPad. During quarantine, she enjoyed face timing with the family, getting updates on Facebook, and watching videos on YouTube. Throughout her years Mena made time for charitable work with the IODE and was a master knitter creating everything from many baby sweaters to floor-length coats.
Mena is survived by her seven children Dave (Corinne), Gary (Deborah), Brian (Bonnie), Paul (Blanche), Brenda (Craig Wilson) all of Sydney. Michael (Arlene), Georgia, and JoAnn (Tony Hashem), Vermont; her sixteen grandchildren Jillian, Andrew, Daniel and Kathleen; John-Michael (Brooke) and Robert (Lauren); Jeff (Natosha), Justin, and Chris (Vanessa); Brian Finn; Kristen (Jeff) and Stefan (Sonya); Katherine and John Hashem; Michael (Michaela) and Emma Wilson, who knew her best as their ‘Nanny Mena’; her five great-grandchildren Ethan, Ewan, Nicholas, Isabella, Avery and soon to arrive great-granddaughter this spring; her sisters Delores, Yvonne, Viny (Alex Burkey) and Elaine (Emile Roach); brother-in-law Wayne Morrison, Art MacDonald and Art Stone, sister-in-law Dot Yurchesyn; and many nieces and nephews.
Besides her parents, Mena was predeceased by her beloved husband John, her son Robert, and siblings Arthur, AnnaMae, Gerard, Ethel, Lorraine, Kay and John McPhee.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to all those involved in caring for Mena in her final days, most especially the remarkable nursing staff at Steelworkers Hall, Harbourstone who treated her with the utmost compassion she so deserved. Mena will be greatly missed, but she has now reunited with her beloved John and is holding her son again after 52 years. Mom, you will be forever remembered in our hearts. We love you.
