Matushka Melanya Sviridov, 100, fell asleep in the Lord on March 16, 2015 following a brief illness. She was the wife of the late Archpriest Ioann (John) Sviridov, who reposed on December 23, 2004.
A lifelong Detroiter, Matushka Millie was born to William and Anna Pawlick on August 11, 1914, the fourth of their five children, and was baptized at Saints Peter and Paul Russian Orthodox Church on the city’s southwest side. Her family was among the founding members of the nearby Saint Michael the Archangel Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Church when it was established in 1926—her home parish for the rest of her life. She graduated from Detroit Western High School in 1930 and completed a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and physics at Wayne State University in 1934 and a master’s degree from Wayne State in 1939. She began teaching in the Detroit Public Schools and spent 37.5 years teaching mathematics at Western and Cody High Schools until her retirement in 1975.
Following World War II, Matushka Millie met her husband, then the choir director at Saint Michael’s. They were married there on May 6, 1950, and she gave birth to their only child, Anna, several years later. In 1957, Father John was received into the Metropolia and ordained to the diaconate at Holy Trinity Cathedral, Chicago. Matushka supported his diaconal ministry at Saints Peter and Paul Church, Detroit. After Father John’s ordination to the priesthood in 1963 at Saint Peter and Paul Sobor, Montreal, she continued to joyfully toil alongside him at Saint John the Divine Church, Windsor, ON, Canada; Holy Ascension Church, Albion, MI; and in retirement at All Saints Cathedral and Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral, Detroit.
Matushka Millie is survived by her beloved daughter, Anna (Dr. Edward) Sarkisian; grandchildren Sara (Morgan) Bell and Aram Sarkisian; great-granddaughter Sona Bell; many nieces and nephews; and her numerous close and devoted friends throughout the Detroit pan-Orthodox community.
Visitation will be held on Friday, March 20, from 2:00 until 9:00 p.m. at Saint Michael the Archangel Church, 26355 West Chicago Rd., Redford, MI. A Panakhida will be celebrated at 7:30 p.m. The Funeral service will be celebrated on Saturday, March 21 at 10:30 a.m., followed by interment at Woodmere Cemetery, Detroit.
Matushka Millie was particularly devoted to young people and Orthodox youth programming. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Saint Michael’s Church towards a fund established in her name for parish youth ministries. Alternatively, the family invites loved ones to donate to a church or charity of their choice.
May Matushka Millie’s memory be eternal!