Mary M. Urchek

Mary Martha Ridilla Urchek, of Gray Station Road, Blairsville, went to be with the Lord in blessed peace on Tuesday, February 16, 2021.  She was born on Sunday, February 22, 1931 with the help of midwife, Minny Hacker, for the sum of $5.00.  The family well had been dry since fall, and it surprised everyone when Minny drew water from it for the birth.  Mary was the daughter of Peter & Mary Kopscak Ridilla, and granddaughter of Peter and Mary Fallat Ridilla.  Mary spied Pete Urchek across the room at a local dance, they fell in love, married, became the next “Pete & Mary” and the proud parents of sons, Petey and Dave.
From a young age growing up on Ridilla’s Nursery near Youngstown, PA, Mary was an avid gardener growing countless flowers, vegetables, and fruits, and canned and preserved the bounty.  She dried long braids of onions, made gallons of wine, milked cows, farmed, crocheted beautiful afghans, baked breads and pies, and was a friend and neighbor to all.  She enjoyed long Sunday drives and her church family.  Mary was Carpatho Russian, a devout Orthodox Christian and loved her church, St. Stephen’s, which she helped found in 1963.
Mary was preceded in death by her husband Pete Urchek, parents, five brothers and two sisters.  She is survived by her older brother Andrew Ridilla (Barb Rullo) of Latrobe, son Petey and wife Rebecca, (grandchildren Charlie and Anastasia), son David and wife Susan (grandchildren Jill (Jim) Devlin, Caleb Snyder, Jenna Snyder and great grandchildren Alex, Alison & Liam), sister-in-law Jane Urchek, numerous nieces and nephews and dozens of cousins.  She was loved by all and will be greatly missed.  Special thanks to Dr. Scherer and all of Mary's caregivers.
Friends will be received Friday from 4-7pm in the McCabe Funeral Home, 300 W. Third Avenue, Derry where a Panachida service will be conducted at 6pm.
The Divine Liturgy will be at St. Stephen's Orthodox Church, Latrobe, Saturday at 10 am.  (Everyone please go directly to the church) Interment will follow at the Washington Cemetery, Home, PA.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Stephen's Orthodox Church, 1520 Susan Drive, Latrobe, PA 15650.  Online condolences may be made to http://www.mccabefuneralhomespa.com.