Mary Puhak

Mary Puhak, formerly of Masury, Ohio, entered into the loving arms of her sweetheart John at 2:15 pm Friday, January 27, 2017, in the Emergency Room of Sharon Regional Hospital, surrounded by her loving family following a sudden illness. She was 91.

Mary was born August 29, 1925 at home in Sharon, a daughter to George and Anna (Demchak) Kraynak.

She was a 1943 graduate of Farrell High School and during WWII worked at Westinghouse as “Rosie the Riveter”.

Mary fell in love and became engaged to John Puhak in June of 1947. They eloped by train to Baltimore, where they were married on Tuesday, September 7, 1948, at the historic Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It was the first great cathedral constructed in the colonies after the adoption of the Constitution.

Throughout Mary’s life, she was a devout Catholic. She took great comfort in praying the Rosary daily. She was a member of the former St. Bernadette’s Catholic Church, Masury, and now St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Community, Vienna. In addition, she was active in the Rosary Guild of the church and was a member of the former Masury Knights of Columbus Ladies Auxiliary, where she served as past-president.

In her spare time, she enjoyed traveling and dancing the Polish Polka with her husband, family picnics, cooking, baking, and canning. However, she was best known for her "clothes-pin cookies", Slovak dishes, and her homemade noodles.

Her survivors include: her children, Mark Puhak (Debbie), Overland Park, KS, Pat Puhak (Rosina), Akron, OH, Kenny Puhak (Cece), Brookfield, OH, Bill Puhak (Janet), Hermitage, PA, Donna Kushner (Frank), Paris, OH, and  Mary Ann Green (Ivan), Masury, OH; her thirteen grandchildren whom she dearly loved, Amanda Thompson (Devon), Alexa Puhak, Samantha Thompson (Bobby), Becky Wilson (Bart), Kenny Puhak, Monica Pryts (Steve), Jessica Boca (Brady), Lisa Puhak, Joshua Puhak, Veronica Williams, Kimberly Shoup (Jimmy), Laura Kushner, & Richard Kushner (Stephanie); her nine great-grandchildren, Bobby Thompson, IV, Bart, Bryce & Brennan Wilson, Lydia & Reed Kushner, Gavin Pryts, Cohen Puhak, Reed Thompson, and a soon to be born great-grandson, (Boca); her four step-grandchildren, Sean & Allison Green, Michelle Black (Rich), and JR Williams; her two step-great-grandsons, Anthony & Ayden Green; and her sister, Anne Mae Kropar, Wheatland, PA.

She was preceded in death by her parents; by her husband, John, who passed away March 29, 2015; and by her sisters, Helen Palko and Marge McCartney.

A time of gathering to honor Mary’s life will be held on Wednesday, February 1, 2017, from 4-7 PM at Briceland Funeral Service, 379 State Route 7, SE, Brookfield, Ohio 44403, as well as in her church, St. Thomas the Apostle, 4453 Warren-Sharon Rd., Vienna, Ohio 44473, Thursday, February 2, 2017 from 10-11 AM. A Mass of Christian Burial will immediately follow at 11:00 AM. She will be laid to rest next to her beloved husband in Brookfield Township Cemetery.

Expressions of sympathy may be left for her family at www.bricelandfuneralservice.com

As suggested by her family, memorial contributions can be made to the church (or) to the Donor’s Choice.

Coordination of this tribute for Mrs. Puhak will be presented by Daniel Briceland, Owner & Director. (330-509-3135)