Norma Jean Mazurak

MAZURAK, NORMA JEAN, 89, Northern Cambria, went home to be with her Lord and beloved husband, Mike, on November 19, 2020, at home surrounded by the love of her family.  Heaven rejoices in their reunion.   Born September 4, 1931, in Allport, the daughter of Augustine and Pauline (Hayes) Byrnes.  She married Michael Mazurak on October 25, 1952, at St. John’s Byzantine Catholic Church, Barnesboro.  Their union of 61 years ended on March 13, 2013 with Michael’s passing.  Also preceded in death by parents; these siblings and their spouses, Mary Ida (Floyd) Bohm, Florence (Bob) Homer, Leona (Gene) Byers; these brothers and sisters-in-law and their spouses,  Walter (Catherine) Kochinsky, Nicholas (Ann) Babyak, Peter (Ann) Mazurak and Metro (Shirley) Mazurak; brothers; several nieces and a nephew.  She is survived by her twin sister, Carolyn (Richard) Ellis, Pittsburgh.  She is survived by her children, Denise (Gary) Ceschini, Patton; Michael Jr (Laraine) Mazurak, Altoona; John Mazurak, Northern Cambria; Carolyn (Louis) Christoff, Northern Cambria; Paul (Cindy) Mazurak, Hastings; and Susan Rietscha, Nicktown.  Her wedding prayer was fulfilled – “May you live to see your children’s children.”  Her beloved grandchildren include, Angel (Jonathan) Murdock, Lacey Ceschini, Melanie Bapple, Molly (Adam) Wingert, Michael Mazurak III (Joanne), Nina (Corey) Shuma, Charity (Jim) Blaine, Emily Christoff, Cindy (Dave) Holliday, Deanna (Paige) McCreary, Krista Mazurak, Shannon Mazurak, Vince (Bethany) Rietscha III, Brian (Megan) Rietscha, Lynette (Ron) Schilling and Andy Rietscha; seventeen great-grandchildren and a great-grandson expected in March 2021.  Also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.  Norma was devoted to her Lord, her faith and her family.  She and Mike raised their six children in a loving home.  She was a devoted wife, mother, grandma and great grandma.  A natural caregiver, she retired from Miner’s Hospital, Spangler after 20 years as a Nurse’s Aide.  She loved her hospital family and made life-long friends.  She also worked many years for her church—cleaning, cooking for church dinners, and working bingo and basket auctions at St. John’s Byzantine Church.  She loved to play bingo and “won” just about every time she played and belonged to several card clubs for 60 years.  Her later years brought out her artistic talents.  She enjoyed needlepoint and her home was filled with many of her creations, mostly religious themed and these were often gifts shared with others.    She also did macrame and crochet and blessed many homes with her crocheted blankets, especially when family members had babies.  Norma enjoyed preparing for and following the religious holidays (Julian calendar) of her husband’s childhood church, St. Peter & Paul’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Bakerton, and the family celebrations and gatherings during those times.   Attending the Byrnes family reunions was something she looked forward to every year and she was often the “life of the party”.  She also enjoyed life’ simplest joys, especially family togetherness, going out for lunch, Sunday drives, seeing the leaves change color in the fall, cooking and baking, sitting on the front porch swing with Mike, and laughter.  Norma will be deeply missed by her family and friends.  The Mazurak family would like to thank her caregiver, Jean Hunter, for the loving care that she gave to their mother and grandmother.  Jean was devoted to Norma and became a much-loved part of the family.  We can’t thank you enough, Jean.  God Bless you.  Due the current Covid-19 health concerns all services will be private for the family.  Fr. Paul Bigelow officiating.  Committal, St. John Byzantine Cemetery, Northern Cambria.  Vechnaya Pamyat!  Memory Eternal!  In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial contributions be made to St. John’s Byzantine Church.  Moriconi Funeral Home, Inc., Northern Cambria in charge of arrangements.  On-line condolences may be made at www.moriconifuneralhome.com

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