Matushka Maria Shuga, wife of the late Archpriest Andrew Shuga, fell asleep in the Lord here on Wednesday, October 26, 2016.
Born June 11, 1937, the daughter of the late Raymond J. Umphred and Helen [Glowatsky] Umphred, Matushka Maria was a 1955 graduate of Coughlin High Class, Wilkes-Barre, PA, after which she attended College Misericordia. She graduated from Pittston Hospital School of Nursing in 1960. She did private duty nursing and also worked part time at Carbondale General Hospital for seven years during her husband’s pastorate at Saint Basil Church, Simpson, PA. She was very active and supportive in all church functions. She taught Sunday school for 40 years and was a Cantor at Holy Annunciation Church, Berwick, PA, where her husband served as pastor for 30 years. She volunteered her professional services at the annual Pilgrimage to Saint Tikhon’s Monastery, South Canaan, PA and also at its Children’s Summer Camp. Prior to the Shugas’ assignment to Holy Annunciation Church, they also served Holy Trinity Church, McAdoo, PA and Saints Peter and Paul Church, Mount Union, PA.
Matushka Maria was predeceased by Father Andrew, who reposed on March 31, 2001. She is survived by three children, Larissa Shuga and Anita Shuga, Harrisburg, PA, and David Shuga and daughter-in-law Joan, Shavertown, PA; brother-in-law Archpriest Stephen and Matushka Emily [Kozemchak] Shuga, Latrobe, PA, and brother-in-law Archpriest John Klembara and Matushka Olga [Shuga] Klembara, Broadview Heights, OH; and several cousins, nieces and nephews.
Visitation will begin at the Yeosock Funeral Home, Plains, PA at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 30. A Parastas will be celebrated at 5:00 p.m. The Funeral will be celebrated at Holy Resurrection Cathedral, Wilkes-Barre, PA at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, October 31, followed by interment at Fern Knoll Cemetery, Dallas, PA.
May Matushka Maria’s memory be eternal!