mary gogul
Mary (Zdinak) Gogul, 91, passed away on Sunday, October 25, 2009 in Weirton Medical Center, Weirton, WV. She was born March 24, 1918 in Weirton, the daughter of the late Michael and Teresa Rohal Zdinak, Jr. She was preceded in death by her husbands John C. Gogul in 1990 and Otha Platt in 1954. She was also preceded in death by her daughters Theresa (Tipi) Philipps and Mary Jane Tuchalski, son-in-law Stanley Tuchalski, grandson John Tuchalski, brothers John, William, Alex, Andrew, Michael Jr. and Paul Zdinak and sister Mary Zdinak. Mary is survived by her two sons George Platt and John (Linda) Platt both of Weirton; 19 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, 6 great-great grandchildren; brother Pete (Roselea) Zdinak of Wilmington, DE; two sisters Catherine Mehalik and Theresa (Alex) Sabol both of Weirton and many, many nephews and nieces. Mary was a housewife, a homemaker and mother; however, during World War II, and for a 12 year period during the 1950's and 60's, she worked as a Tin Plate Inspector in the Tin Mill Department of Weirton Steel Company. Mary was a member of St. Mary's Byzantine Catholic Church and St. Mary's Altar and Rosary Society. Visitation will be Wednesday from 3-8PM at the Greco-Hertnick Funeral Home, 3219 Main St, Weirton, WV where Parastas services will be held at 6PM and Rosary at 7PM. Final blessing will be held Thursday at 9AM in the funeral home followed by the 9:30AM Funeral Liturgy at St Mary's Byzantine Catholic Church with the Reverend Father James Atkins officiating. Entombment will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Steubenville, OH.

Memories Timeline

Guestbook

  1. I knew her as Babi, she was always special, even in these last years when I would get to Weirton and visit her at the Geriatric Center. Precious are the memories of brining her food from Aunt Katie’s Christmas Eve and singing Christmas Carols along with her and Yvonne. Although Alzhiemer’s had locked parts of her memory her favorite seemed to be “O Come Let Us Adore Him, Christ the Lord!” as that stanza always came out. Babi knew that God had her around for some reason and she shared this each time I would ask: “Are you ready to go see Jesus in Heaven?” She would answer, “Not just yet.” Evidentally on Sunday night she heard the Lord’s call and answered the invitation to Paradise — she couldn’t be anywhere else. As she often said: “This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad!” We thank the Lord for her lenghth of days and each day we had her. Furthermore, we thank the Lord for each of our days and the difference it does make in this world.

  2. She was my Aunt Mary. I’ll always remember her and Uncle John Gogul. They were always so out going and active. They would look for times or make a time to have get togethers. And their partys were always the best. They did a lot for our family and friends. It was so sad that her last years were the way they were. I’ll always remember her as one of the most active and nicest person I’ve ever had the pleasure to have known. I love you Aunt Mary!!!

  3. Aunt Mary was one of a kind! My many memories of Aunt Mary always include her laughing, dancing, and enjoying life! What a wonderful example she was to all of us to make lemonade out of the lemons that life throws to us! She definitely added life to the Zdinak clan. Often you would see her brothers and sisters smile, shake their heads, and say THAT’S MARY! Now she’s with many of them having a great party in heaven. God Bless to All of my Cousins, Aunts, and Uncles who cherish her life! Mickey

  4. On behalf of the John Sabol Jr. family and the Simonis family, we extend our prayers to the Zdinak/Gogul family. Due to surgery, we are unable to travel to attend the funeral, but will be there in prayer. Vičnaja pamjat. Vičnaja pamjat. Blažennyl pokoj; Vičnaja pamjat Love, Jan

  5. My memories of Aunt Mary are that she represents the nearest to the beginning of this big loving family we are all a part of. I remember her voice from different events and visits, though few, and I smile. I see the images and imagine I hear the sounds of she and my dad talking in Slovik; I smile. I see her peony garden, and I think of her each spring as the peonies bloom in our garden. Aunt Mary is the connection in my thinking to where our family began. Love and peace to all.

  6. Babi will always be in my heart and memories for all her loving kindness and zest for life. I will especially remember fishing off of her dock in Holiday, FL; and, of course, her fruit salad!!!!

  7. I grew up knowing her as ‘Babi Florida’ and remember her young at heart spirit… singing, dancing, fishing, boating, cooking for me and my family anytime we saw her. In her later years on New Years Eve, she blessed my forehead with honey to stay sweet and washed my hands in money to have wealth for the coming year. You will always be in my heart, Babi!

  8. Dear family of klesna Mary Zdinak Gogul. We are sorry that we cannot attend the service of Klesna Mary because I had surgery on my knee cap & just came home from the hospital. Have to go to the hospital Wednesday to take x-ray and John goes to the hospital Thursday to have Eye surgery. Love from all of us. John & Mary

  9. I just received a phone call from Sr. Euphemia of Mount Saint Macrina in Uniontown, PA. Sr. Euphemia knew Babi in her younger Weirton years when they were growing up. She extended gratitude for Babi’s full life and asked that I express sympathy to all of the family on her behalf. She noted that the Sisters of Saint Basil the Great in Uniontown will remember Babi in thier prayers. She also offered a word of thanks for the kindness Babi showed to the Sisters over the years through financial offerings. Her chairity did not go unnoticed!

  10. Babi’s heart was rich in love for God & family, & her door was always open to visitors, whether just for a brief chat or an extended visit, & the bed was always made & the freezer was always full. Babi touched my life by the bond she & John shared in their married life. Even though there was the occasional, “Oh, for heavenly days, John,” and the “Now dammit, Mary,” they were the picture of a loving couple, always there for each other. The first time we visited them in Florida, she sent him out to pick up a few groceries. He came back with more bags than he went for, & a new toaster oven from K-Mart! They didn’t have one & he thought she would like it! During that same trip, we spent one evening watching a slide show from the Gogul RV trip across the US. Slides were put in upside down, in the wrong order, etc. Zedo was frustrated but NEVER raised his voice in anger. It’s those little things that warm your heart. Babi, enjoy the next toga party with Zedo!

  11. Dear Tuchalski Cousins – Our love and prayers go out to you. I only got to meet your grandmother a few times – but she was always happy to be celebrating whatever the occasion was.

  12. Aunt Mary was a wonderful woman who was caring and loving! She was like a mother to us when we were growing up in Weirton. She will be missed! Love, Alex and Anne Sabol

  13. To my brothers, Greg & Steven, and I, she was our ‘Lil’ Grandma and John was our ‘Lil’ Pap-Pap. The easy distinction between them and our maternal grandparents who were simply larger people. The two of them provided memories for our lifetime, from the house on Thurman St, where family gatherings were held when I was a young child. Thurman St represented their Florida smowbird years, when Summer meant they were back in Weirton. By the time they became full time FL residents, we enjoyed the great FL vacations of my youth at their homes in Holiday and New Port Richey, FL. Lil Grandma was also there, with other extended Weirton family, to help our family during some especially difficult years. Thanks Grandma for your valuable and heartfelt contributions to my life on many different levels during many different times. Love always…

  14. Stary Baba,You surprised us, you finally got all of us back when we surprised you with your 80th birthday party.I recall the last visit with you,after our usual hand/face gestures you never shut up talking. You asked me who was in the room with us.I didn’t understand. Afterwards,I remember saying to you “I’ll see ya tomorrow,” and you smiled back. You knew who was there.I enjoyed sharing these together times sitting with you whether it was sipping on coffee, singing church songs,watching tv,or just holding hands.You were there for me and I was there for you. Thanks for all the motherly advice you have given me. When I got married and you visited me on the army base, you asked me if I was happy. Later you sent me encouraging letters on raising kids as a single mom. You lived by the motto “Don’t worry, be happy.” You have achieved a very happy life, spreading happiness wherever you were..you always had a smile on your face. I am happy now because I know you are in a “Happy Place”.

  15. I’m sorry that I’m not able to pay my respect in person and honor such a noble and generous person as Aunt Mary. I fondly remember how welcoming she was to us New Yorkers on our annual Summer visits to Wierton when we were growing up. My thoughts and prayers are with you all, and I know my Dad is happy that his sister Mary is joining their big Pinochle party in Heaven.

  16. Aunt Mary has been one of the bright spots in my life. She is my godmother. She always made me feel loved and cared about. As a child I accompanied her and Baba back from CT on the plane, I think my first time traveling by “myself”. Going to Weirton was always fun for me. I remember showing up just after she and Uncle John got married. People were still buzzing about that. When I traveled to Florida and stayed with them, she still fed us like there was an army coming to dinner. Open , warm, loving that was Aunt Mary to me.

  17. Flying to FL, I chated with a family & recalled that Babi’s funeral hearse trip Thursday was not her first! She once told me how the Zdinak’s & Hertnick’s were close friends. Babi & Uncles Mike & John obtained jobs in Weirton Steel (lying about their teen-ages to get work during the Depression). A strike was called but the Zdinak family relied on the wages of the three. They wanted to work but would have to be “scabbs” crossing a picket line & could be in danger. A hearse going into the mill back then was not uncommon due to work accidents. Mr. Hertnick loaded the three into the back of his hearse & drew the curtains shut & drove them to work. Babi said, “We were kids, so the minute we passed the line of strikers, we pulled open the curtains and started making funny faces at those not working! Then we spent the next three days in the mill until the picketing stopped.” That first hearse ride was part of a life filled with adventure and intrigue!!!

  18. On behalf of myself, my wife Elizabeth, our children Paul & Juliana I extend our prayers and God’s assured comfort to all the family and friends. It has been sometime since we last saw Aunt Mary… I believe it was at my nieces funeral in Richmond, Ohio…, Aunt Theresa was with her and we had a nice visit, hugs laughter and tears… My prayers in preparation for the Divine Liturgy always include those for the living and reposed Zdinaks. I will move Mary to the list of those who have complete the race and now enjoy the blessedness which had been prepared for her… Eternal Memory!

  19. On behalf of myself, my wife Elizabeth, our children Paul & Juliana, I extend our prayers and God’s assured comfort to all the family and friends. It has been sometime since we last saw Aunt Mary… I believe it was at my nieces funeral in Richmond, Ohio…, Aunt Theresa was with her and we had a nice visit, hugs, laughter, and tears… My prayers in preparation for the Divine Liturgy always include those for the living and reposed Zdinaks. I will move Mary to the list of those who have complete the race and now enjoy the blessedness which has been prepared for her… Eternal Memory!

  20. I did not plan to watch any of the royal wedding proceedings today, but my eyes and ears where drawn to the Westminster Abbey Services as I prepared for work. After all, it is a stunning place I have visited thirty-four years ago, and it seemed so full of life today. This was the most impressive moment of today’s ceremony. “This is the Day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad” has sustained members of our family for years. To hear it put to music like this was so special and rememberable. It was like hearing the angels singing in Heaven. And it reminded me of Mom’s passing six years ago to this date, and Babi gogul’s passing just 18 months ago to this date. Search YouTube for westminster abbey choir 2011 04 29 to find the video Thanks to our Angels in Heaven. Walt Tuchalski Gettysburg. PA


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