Helen Yacos Obuhanych

Helen (Nestor) Yacos Obuhanych, beloved mother, grandmother, wife, daughter and aunt, fell asleep in the Lord on Friday, January 9, 2015. She lived a life of graceful, giving integrity, and will be dearly missed. Helen was born in Mapleton Ohio to Charles and Anna Nestor on October 26, 1921. She graduated from Shadyside High School, then Bellevue School of Nursing (New York City) in 1944 where she began her nursing career. She married John Yacos Jr. in April, 1944. They were married 27 years before his untimely death in 1971. They lived in Columbus OH and settled in Canton OH where they raised their three children. Together they actively participated in the children's school, sports, scouts and church activities. Also, they were instrumental in founding Holy Assumption Orthodox Church. Helen returned to college in her 50s, graduating with honors from Kent State University with a bachelor's degree and from The University of Akron with her master's degree in education. She worked as a nurse in numerous specialties throughout her life, her favorite being an instructor in maternity/child nursing at Aultman Hospital in Canton OH from where she retired. Helen loved her family, her church, music and travel. She enjoyed touring the contiguous United States, Alaska, Hawaii, Europe, Russia, China, the Panama Canal, and Australia, meeting her second husband (William Obuhanych) while on a trip to the Holy Land. They were married in 1986 and moved to LeHigh Acres FL. She volunteered at the LeHigh Acres Senior Center and was their representative to the 1995 Senior Queen Pageant. To her delight she was chosen Senior Queen for both LeHigh Acres and Lee County, enjoying the perks of "royalty" for a year at many events. She rarely missed a family reunion or holiday gathering, capturing the moments with hundreds of photographs. Helen also enjoyed golf, bridge, gardening, dancing and was always active with singing, both in church and community choirs. In 2006 Helen relocated to Overland Park KS to be nearer to her children after Bill's death. She is survived by two children-John (Susan) and Nadine (Keith McGill), grandsons-John (Melanye) Yacos [Albuquerque NM] and Jeffrey Yacos [OP KS], sisters-Esther King [Binghamton NY], MaryAnn Hurdzan [London OH], sister in law Mary Durham [Weirton WV], brother in law William Yacos [Weirton WV], stepdaughters and step grandchildren-Paula (Herbert David) [Australia], Daria (Stephen)/Elena, Emilie, Jessica, Matthew Lebduska [Camillus NY], Anna (Jerome)/Mary, Peter Conroy [Syracuse NY], plus a host of nieces, nephews, and their families. She was preceded in death by her parents, spouses, son Philip, sister Edna (Tom) Reeder, brother Steve (Lula) Nestor and numerous in law Visitation was held on Monday, January 12, 2015, from 6pm 8pm at Holy Trinity Orthodox Church (119th & Pflumm) with a Panikhida memorial service held at 7pm. Additional visitation will be held at Saint Nicholas Orthodox Church 604 Colliers Way Weirton 6 8 PM on Friday, with a panikhida at 7 PM. Her funeral will be held 11 AM Saturday at Saint Nicholas Orthodox Church, Weirton Interment will follow at Saint Nicholas Russian Orthodox Cemetery, Weirton, WV Memorial contributions may be made to Holy Trinity Orthodox Church Icon Fund (11901 Pflumm Rd Overland Park, KS 66213).