Matushka Barbara Gurka Pavelchak, 75, wife of Archpriest Daniel, fell asleep in the Lord on the evening of January 6, 2012 at the Terrace Glen Eddy, Niskayuna, embraced by her loving family.
Born in Wilkes-Barre, PA, she was the daughter of the late John and Pauline Kosko Gurka and the beloved wife of Archpriest Daniel Pavelchak. Matushka was educated in Plains, PA, and came to the Capital District in 1971. She graduated from Hudson Valley Community College and received her associate’s degree in medical records. She enjoyed a long and fulfilling career employed as the manager of medical records with the Hospital Association NYS in Albany, retiring in 1999.
Matushka was very active in Saint Nicholas Church, Cohoes, NY, where she was a member of the R Club. She served as the parish’s choir director, and also directed the youth choir at Saint Basil Church, Watervliet, NY. Matushka had a lifelong love of music and was an accomplished piano player. She was a fantastic cook and also enjoyed singing and traveling, but her true enjoyment came from the endless love of her family. She was devoted and dedicated to them and was the center of the whole family. Matushka was an ardent and relentless advocate for the Humane Society’s mission of assisting animals in need.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by her loving children, Charissa (Benton) Prentice of Westport, MA; Michael (Sharon) Pavelchak of Wilton; and Nicholas (Joyce) Pavelchak of Altamont; adored grandchildren Kyra, Jeremy, Zachariah and Alexandra; sister, Mary (Dominick) DeBenedetto of Washington, NJ; brother, John (Elizabeth) Gurka of Wilkes-Barre, PA; and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her brother Theodore Gurka.
Visitation will begin at Saint Nicholas Church, Cohoes, NY, at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 10. The Parastas will be celebratead at 7:00 p.m. His Grace, Bishop Michael of New York and New Jersey will preside at funeral services at Saint Nicholas Church, Cohoes, NY, on Wednesday, January 11, at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Saint Nicholas RO Cemetery, Boght Corners.
May Matushka Barbara’s memory be eternal!
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