Meredith "Kitty" Sirko

Meredith “Kitty” K. Sirko, of Vienna, Ohio, passed away at 2:23 PM on Wednesday, December 14, 2016, while a patient in Meadowbrook Manor Nursing Home, Fowler, Ohio, following an extended illness. She was 78.

Kitty was born on November 7, 1938, in Toledo, Ohio, a daughter to Thomas William & Edith Katharine (McBride) Purviance.

She graduated from Salem High School in 1957 and furthered her education by attending Malone College and the Aultman Hospital School of Nursing, both in Canton, Ohio. However, she would graduate as a Licensed Practical Nurse in 1959 from the Hannah E. Mullins School of Practical Nursing, Salem, Ohio.

Her career held many facets such as working under a variety of doctors between the years of 1959-1965. Moreover, she became a private duty nurse for the next twenty years of her profession, fulfilling her calling at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, Northside Hospital, Southside Hospital, as well as in a number of family homes too. She relocated to Florida in 1985, and found employment with the Westlake Psychologic Hospital and the Seminole County Corrections Facility. In addition, the Lake County Police Academy and the Seminole County Sheriff’s Department benefited from her services. She moved once more, coming home to Ohio in 1992, and started working as a staff nurse for the Gateways to Better Living Group Home, Austintown, Ohio, a facility for adults who are mentally challenged.

Meredith had many memberships throughout her life. Some include: the Boardman Christian Church, where she served as president of the Christian Women’s Fellowship and Board Secretary; Licensed Practical Nurse Association of Ohio of 20 years, where she served as president for 2 years; Ohio State Board of Directors of LPN’s; Ohio State Council of Presidents; Mahoning County’s first “Miss Hope” for the American Cancer Society 1970’s campaign, where she attended the “Miss Hope” Pageant in Columbus, Ohio; and the Order of Eastern Star #518, Hartford, Ohio.

She was instrumental in the Canfield Fair Church, working the booth for the Perkins Pancake House, active with the annual church auction, taught Sunday school and worked in the nursery too. Her favorite hobbies include spending time with her husband riding around their property watching the birds and all of God’s creations.

She is survived by: her husband George, whom she married May 27, 1995; her step-daughters, Georgia Fabick & her husband John, Hartford, Ohio, and Darlene Parobek & her husband John, Brookfield, Ohio; her step-grandchildren, Jessica Shingledecker & Jonathan Sirko; and her step-great-grandchildren, Eric & Evan Shingledecker.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and by her step-son, George Allen Sirko.

A time of gathering to honor Kitty will be held Monday, December 19, 2016 from 11 to 12 PM at Briceland Funeral Service, located on the historic village green at 379 State Route 7, SE, Brookfield, Ohio 44403. A funeral service will immediately follow and O.E.S. honors will be conducted. She will be laid to rest in Brookfield Township Cemetery.

As suggested by her family, memorial contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society c/o the funeral home.

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

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