Obituary of Maria Lylak

Lylak, Maria Rochester: Monday, March 27, 2017 at age 90. Pre-deceased by her husband of seventy years, Mykola "Nick" in 2016. She is survived by her son, Evhen "Eugene" (Olena) Lylak; grandchildren, Oksana Lylak (Brian Keenan), Markijan Lylak & Yvanka Lylak; brother in Ukraine, Mykola (Zoija) Fijala; niece, Tamara Chaplynska and family; Close family members, Anastasia Luchanko and family; John Kuszlyk and family. Maria was born in 1927 in Berezne, Ukraine. Forced into German labor camps at age 15, she survived, met her future husband, and immigrated to the USA following the end of WWII. A remarkable woman, she had a most kind and giving nature, always caring for her own family and anyone else who may have been in need. After retiring from Bausch and Lomb (38 years as a lens inspector), Maria served a number of consecutive terms (through the 2000's) as President of a Rochester branch of the Ukrainian National Women's League of America (the UNWLA). Her strong faith and belief in prayer guided her through life, and her generosity of spirit, strength and thoughtfulness influenced many people. Somehow she remembered and marked each and every holiday of all who knew her. Most memorably, she faithfully dispatched hundreds of parcels of food and clothing to help family, friends, and relatives in Ukraine during and even after Soviet times. In short, she was an amazing person, a wife, a mother, a grandmother, and great-grandmother, and most of all, a good friend who will be terribly missed for many years to come. Her family will receive friends Friday 3-6pm at Harris Funeral Home (570 Kings Hwy South). Panachyda at 4pm. Friends are invited to meet the family Saturday 12:00pm at Ukrainian Catholic Church of Epiphany for her Divine Liturgy, and Interment at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to UNWLA, Ukrainian Catholic Church of Epiphany, or Ukrainian Museum of New York City