Veronica Melnyk

Veronica Melnyk, 93, of Leetsdale, passed away on Wednesday, April, 21, 2021 in Good Samaritan Hospice House, Marshall Twp. with her loving family by her side. She was one of 14 children born to Prokop (Mike) and Anna (Vitchock) Koval on August 13, 1927, in Tower Hill #1, PA. A coal miner's daughter, she was raised in East Millsboro, PA and attended Brownsville Area Schools. At the age of 15, she became a nurse's aid at the D.T. Watson Home for Crippled Children. During that time she met her future husband, Michael Melnyk, with whom she enjoyed 50 years of marriage. They settled in Leetsdale where they raised their three children who survive; Linda (Tom) Abraham of Economy, Beverly (Jeffrey) Dewhirst of Leetsdale, Michael (Andrea) Melnyk of Bethel Park. Veronica was blessed with nine grandchildren; Jill (Joshua) Hummer, Molly (Christopher) Scott, Kyleigh (Joseph) Martin, Matthew Dewhirst, Sarah (Aaron) Latta, Tyler Dewhirst, Chelsea (John) Mussman, Curran (Bonnie) Dewhurst, and Lindsey Melnyk, 14 great-grandchildren, Scarlett, Joshua, Pierce, and Iris Hummer; Alexandra Scott; Liam, Eli, and Emma Martin; John and Maxwell Dewhirst; Peter, Patrick, and Amelia Mussman; and Naomi Dewhirst. She is also survived by sisters, Dorothy Reader and Beatrice Uphold, brother-in-laws, Harold Reader and Raymond Melnyk; sister-in-law, Shirley Melnyk, and many nieces and nephews. Preceding her in death in addition to her parents and husband were five brothers and eight sisters.  Veronica was a member of SS Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church, Ambridge and the Leetsdale VFW Post 3372 Ladies Auxiliary.  She volunteered as a Girl Scout Leader, election day official and polster, and at Ambridge Nationality Days. She kept a meticulous home and garden, and enjoyed feeding animals that frequented her yard. She was a selfless, loving, dedicated wife, mother, grandma, and great grandma. She was a true beacon of kindness, compassion, strength and beauty. Our family is grateful to God that He had chosen her to be our mother. Visitation will be Friday from 3 to 7 PM in the John Syka Funeral Home, Inc. 833 Kennedy Drive, Ambridge where prayers will be offered at 9:30 AM followed by a liturgy at 10 AM in SS Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church, 404 Sixth Street, Ambridge with her pastor, Father Michael Polosky officiating. A Parastas service will be held Friday at 6:30 PM in the funeral home. Interment will take place in the SS Peter & Paul Catholic Cemetery, Harmony Twp.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Veronica Melnyk, please visit our floral store.