Matushka Eugenia Nehrebecki fell asleep in the Lord on January 2, 2025, surrounded by her loving family and the prayers of the Church. Born on April 30, 1930, to the late Archpriest Elias and Euphrosinia Trembach Yankovsky in Portage, Pennsylvania, Eugenia was predeceased by her four older siblings, Vladimir, Olga, Luba, and Leo.
Eugenia graduated from Brownsville High School (PA) in 1948 and earned her nursing degree from Pennsylvania’s Washington Hospital School of Nursing in 1951. At just seven years old, Eugenia met the future love of her life, the late Archpriest John Nehrebecki. Their childhood meeting—marked by John’s gift of a Cracker Jack toy—foreshadowed a life of dedication and devotion. Their paths crossed again as teenagers, culminating in their marriage at Holy Resurrection Church, West Brownsville, PA on May 22, 1952. Shortly thereafter, Eugenia embraced her calling as Matushka (Little Mother) when Father John was ordained into the Holy Priesthood in July 1952. Together, they dedicated their lives to the service of God and His people, founding Christ the Saviour Church in 1960, where Eugenia remained an active and beloved member until her repose.
As a devoted Matushka, Eugenia embodied the virtues described in Proverbs 31: “Her worth is far above rubies. The heart of her husband safely trusts her… She opens her hand to the poor, and reaches out her hands to the needy.” A gifted singer, she spent over 40 years directing the choir and remained a dedicated member after her retirement.
Matushka Eugenia and Father John’s nearly 66 years of marriage were a testament to their shared faith, love, and devotion. Together, they built their “little kingdom,” raising six children, Vladimir (+Elena), Mariam (Archpriest David Vernak), Tatiana (Louis Evangelista), Olga (+Archpriest Alexander Atty), Anastasia (Mark Jacobs), and Theodora (Richard Gramkow). Matushka Eugenia’s legacy of faith and love extended to her 20 grandchildren, Matthew (Kimberly), Christopher, Jonathan (Jasmine), Fr. Stephen (Anna), Anastasia (Fr. Victor), Christina (Marc), Michael (Leslie), Alexandra (Patrick), John (Cassie), Justin (Stephanie), Stephen (Amanda), Katherine (Nicholas), Jason, Melanie (Fabrizzio), John (Casey), Alexander (Erica), Alexander (Chelsea), Juliana, Joseph (Stephanie), Diana (David) and 44 (soon-to-be 45) great-grandchildren, Timothy, Larissa, Ava, Nicholas, Mary, Catherine, Sophia, Zoe, Jacob, Grace, Elizabeth, Katherine, Alexander, Cassiana, Jackson, Sophia, Elias, Cecilia, Matthew, Mark, Michael, Laila, Faith, Viviana, Josephine, Christian, Emily, Gabriel, Anna, Raphael, Veronika, Euphrosinia, Taygan, Eleanor, Viviana, Nina, Penelope, Basil, Bridgette, Abigail, Luke, Jacob, Zachary and Genevieve each of whom she cherished deeply. She nurtured her family with love and compassion, “watching over the ways of her household and not eating the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.”
Matushka Eugenia’s life was a reflection of her unwavering dedication to God’s work, her family and the lives she touched through her kindness and service. She will be remembered for her gentle spirit, her boundless generosity and her steadfast faith. Well done, good and faithful servant! May her memory be eternal.
A viewing will be held on Tuesday, January 7, 2025 at Christ the Saviour Church, 365 Paramus Road, Paramus, NJ from 1:00 – 4:00 PM and 5:00 – 7:00 PM with the Funeral Service beginning at 7:00 PM. Divine Liturgy will be at 9:00 AM on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, followed immediately by a repast. Interment will follow at Saint Tikhon’s Monastery, 175 St. Tikhons Road, Waymart (South Canaan), PA.
It was Matushka’s wish that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to Christ the Saviour Church in her memory or made online.
May Matushka Eugenia’s memory be eternal!