As a faculty member, at the former Eddystone High School, in Eddystone, Pa., she was a teacher for 10 years.
A loving wife, she was married for many years to the late Dr. Walter Uzych, an ear, nose, and throat doctor who practiced in Chester, Pa.
She was born on June 4, 1921, in Philadelphia. The devoted daughter of the late Mary and the late Theodore Soroka, Sr., who operated a grocery store in the West End of Chester, Pa., for 25 years, she grew up in the Ukrainian neighborhood of her parents. Her life was enriched greatly by the Ukrainian culture of her parents.
For most of her life, she lived in Pennsylvania’s Delaware County.
An earnest student, she earned a B.S. degree from West Chester State Teachers College, in West Chester, Pa., in 1942; she pursued a master’s degree in education at Temple University and the University of Pennsylvania.
A loving, caring and proud grandmother, she greatly enjoyed her six grandchildren, who lovingly called her “Babi.”
She was a very dedicated and active participant in the Ukrainian community. A member of St. Mary’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Chester since the time of her childhood, she held various offices over the years, and served also as choir director.
She also held numerous offices as a member of the Ukrainian American National Home. She served as the treasurer of the League of Ukrainian Women. While active with the Ukrainian Youth League, she served as secretary of the Philadelphia District. After the death of her husband, she was a volunteer for 23 years at Taylor Hospital, in Ridley Park, Pa.
On April 17 of this year, Mrs. Uzych was awarded a medal by the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the U.S.A. for devotion to God and His Church.
Survivors include: a son, Leo Uzych, of Wallingford, Pa.; a daughter, Loressa Syska (William) of West Chester, Pa.; a daughter, Irene Abram (Ihor) of Chadds Ford, Pa.; a brother, Theodore Soroka, Jr. (Anne) of Niskayuna, N.Y.; six grandchildren, Dr. Maria Syska Garrett (Jonathon), Michael, Stephen and Krystyna Syska, and Victor and Alexandra Abram; and two great grandchildren, Madison Olivia Syska and Jagger James Syska.
The funeral service was on May 26 at St. Mary’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church, in Chester. Interment was at St. Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox Cemetery, in South Bound Brook, N.J.
Memorial contributions may be sent to: St. Mary’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church, for “Gift of Life” (Attn: Financial Secretary, 1666 Hance Lane, Garnet Valley, PA 19061).