Mary Semko

Mary (Hudak) Semko, age 96, of Lawrenceville, Georgia, formerly of Curtisville, West Deer Township, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Thursday March 19, 2020 at Hope Memory Care, Dacula, GA. She was born August 25, 1923 in Powhaton Point, OH to the late John and Anna (Smajda) Hudak, Sr. Mary was a 1941 graduate of Girard High School. She worked at the local drugstore and then during the war, worked in a factory. Mary married John Semko on May 11, 1946 and became a devoted wife, mother and homemaker. Mary was a member at SS Peter and Paul Byzantine Catholic Church, Tarentum. She remained active in Lawrenceville, GA area and attended St. Marguerite d’Youville Catholic Church, always baking a lemon pound cake for funerals at church. Mary was one of the original Martha’s Ministry members. She lived in Curtisville, West Deer, for 36 years until 1990, then moved to Girard, OH until 1997, then to Lawrenceville, GA to live with her daughter, Margie. She was an excellent baker and would have some type of baked dessert ready every day for John and her girls when they came home from work and school. Neighborhood boys, David and Bobby Nether, would stop at the home of “Aunt Mary” and “Uncle John” after school to see what “Aunt Mary” had baked for the day. Mary’s skills in the kitchen were outstanding. She would make all the various ethnic foods: Paska bread, stuffed cabbage, pierogis, haluski and nut rolls. Everyone in Curtisville knew they could stop by Mary and John’s home for a cup of coffee or tea and a homemade pastry. She loved to garden and grow vegetables and gave away what she grew. Most importantly, Mary had the biggest heart and compassion for others.  Mary was loved by so many people, especially her adoring family. She was a servant of her Lord who gave freely of herself, her baking talents and welcomed anyone into her home. Mary was a special woman who will be deeply missed by those that had the privilege of having crossed paths with her during her time on this earth. Rest well good and faithful servant.

She is survived by her two devoted and loving daughters, Maryann (Michael) Holzer of Norman, OK and Marguerite “Margie” (Bob) Ondish of Lawrenceville, GA; grandchildren, Nicole Holzer, APRN-CNP of Norman, OK, Dr. Michael (Evie) Holzer of Oklahoma City, OK, Jon (Gina) Holzer of Norman, OK, and Natalee Ondish of Lawrenceville, GA; great-grandchildren, Eli, Everett and Finley Holzer and Ollie Ondish; her siblings, Alec (Norma) Hudak, Margie (Jerry) Brandenstein and Dorothy Mayoras all of Girard, OH; sister-in-law, Nelle Semko of Buffalo, NY; devoted friend & neighbor, Carole Nether of Curtisville; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and a host of many friends.

Besides her parents she was preceded in death by her husband of 41 years, John W. Semko in 1987, her siblings, Michael, John, Jr., Joseph Hudak, Ann Tarkanish and Helen Baer.

The family wants to thank Hope Memory Care staff and Palladium Hospice for their compassionate care. Arrangements in Georgia have been entrusted to Tom M. Wages Funeral Service, LLC, 120 Scenic Highway, Lawrenceville, GA.

With the present health crisis, a private Funeral Liturgy will be held at SS Peter & Paul Byzantine Catholic Church, Tarentum. Following the Liturgy, she will be laid to rest next to her husband John, in Our Lady of Hope Cemetery, Frazer Township. Local arrangements are entrusted to the Siwicki-Yanicko Funeral Home, 23 McKrell Rd., Russellton, West Deer Township, (724) 265-3800). View obituary and leave condolences at www.siwicki-yanickofh.com

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