Nellie Lytvinenko

A celebration of life service for Nellie will be held at the Contemporary Art Museum (CAM) at 409 West Martin street in downtown Raleigh, March 26, 2017 from 2:30-4:30 pm. Refreshments will be served. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Contemporary Art Museum.

Nellie is survived by her dad Mike Tychoneckyj and step mom Alice, younger brother Michael Tychoneckyj and his wife Diane, her husband Darren Childress, her three children, daughter Kristen Reynolds and her husband Frank, their two children Sienna and Conner, son Victor Lytvinenko and wife Sarah Yarborough, and son Tim Lytvinenko, Darren’s four children, son Graham Childress and his wife Ali, daughter Jessica Rowland her husband Dave and their son Zachary, daughter Rachel Childress, son Jacob Childress, his wife Tabatha and daughter Annabelle.

Nellie was born to Michael Tychoneckyj and Tamara Petys Tychoneckyj in Philadelphia, PA on Aug. 16th 1953. She grew up in an immigrant community in Trenton NJ, where she was a bright young lady. She helped raise her younger brother, Michael, after their mother died when Nellie was 12 years old. After High school Nellie married to John Lytvinenko with whom they had three children and then moved to Cary in 1983. She nurtured her children with unmatched devotion, encouraged them to get dirty and explore the world around them. Her home was a haven of joy, laughter, and comfort for anyone who needed refuge from the storm of life. Nellie was the go-to mother for her children’s friends if they needed a place to hang out, someone to bail them out, or just a sympathetic ear. She expanded her family through love and good food and always required anyone who was not going home to their family to join hers for Thanksgiving.

While raising a family, Nellie was an entrepreneur and built a successful Jewelry line called Nellie’s Original’s selling at numerous craft shows, Ashworth’s, and Hallmark. In 2003, Nellie started her own real estate and brokerage business, Homes by Nellie, which grew rapidly, and she was named Realtor of the Year 3 years in a row with Cary’s prestigious Best of the West magazine.

In 2000 Nellie was diagnosed with breast cancer and defied all odds when her cancer went into remission. She then lived life to the fullest for 14 years’ cancer free. During that time, she met and married Darren Childress and celebrated the births of her 2 grandchildren. In 2014 her cancer returned and Nellie was faced with another large battle. She lived and loved fiercely for another 3 years with grace.

Nellie was charismatic, encouraging, sensual, spiritual, sassy and quite savvy. She would see light when others saw darkness and hope in the mist of all dismay. In her presence, you always felt her strength and inspiration. She was a bold leader with an immense energy, she treated everyone with dignity and respect. She was the life of the party, the leader of the pack, and the highlight of many people’s day. Nellie was the center of gravity for her husband, children and close friends who leaned on her daily for inspiration and support. Nellie had a contagious high energy laugh and smile. She motivated everyone around her to pursue their dreams with all their heart and let everyone know …” YOU’RE AWESOME!”

Arrangements for the Lytvinenko family are under the care of Brown-Wynne Funeral Home Cary. Online condolences may be made at www.brownwynnecary.com.