Mary (Zdinak) Gogul

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.

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

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.

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!

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!

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.

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…

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.

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!!!

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!