Obituary of Mary Marika Mychalczak

Mary (Marika) Mychalczak, 89, our cherished mother and grandmother, was peacefully called home to the Lord the evening of May 11 , 2023 . She will be reunited with her loving late husband, Mykola, whom she was married to for 63 years. Marika was born on October 12 , 1933 in the Stryy Region of the L'viv Oblast in Ukraine to Maria and Dmytro Zarewych. Marika and her family immigrated to the United States and settled in Detroit, Ml in 1949. There, she met her husband, Mykola, raised their three beautiful children, and was very active in the Ukrainian church and school communities. In 1969, Marika became a licensed cosmetologist and successful businesswoman. She operated her own hair salon, Marika's Coiffures in Hamtramck, Michigan for over 25 years. She was very talented and creative, and enjoyed serving her clients who truly appreciated her. In 2003, Marika and her husband relocated to the Syracuse area to be closer to their children and grandchildren. Marika was very active in the Ukrainian community. She was a communicant of St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church and a member of the Apostleship of Prayer, being honored as Mother of the Year in 2014. Marika had a very kind and caring nature, and a penchant for fashion. She was very stylish and lived her life with grace and respect for others. Marika loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and enjoyed teaching them how to cook and bake traditional Ukrainian foods. Her favorite advice to them was " Be the leader, not the follower" . Marika loved her Ukrainian heritage, being involved in the community, attending dances and festivals and traveling to her favorite resort at Soyuzivka in the Catskills. She was very social and touched many lives, cared for many people and made friends wherever she went. Marika will be remembered for her strong faith, her love and dedication to her family, and her elegant style. Her joyous spirit and kind heart will be greatly missed. Marika will forever be cherished by her children: Marta (Andriy) Kowalsky, Dr. Borys Mychalczak, Roma (Dr. George) Temnycky and grandchildren: Andrea, Mark, Alexa (Jake Walsh), Ivanka, Adrian, Sofia and Nicolas. Calling hours will be held Sunday, May 21, 2023 from 5:00-7:00 pm at the Macko-Vassallo Funeral Home, 1609 W. Genesee St., Syracuse, NY. 13204. The Apostleship of Prayer will recite the rosary at 4:00 pm before the calling hours. The Panakhyda Services will be held at 7:00 pm at the funeral home. Funeral services will be held on Monday, May 22, 2023 at 10:30 am at St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Cathoilic Church, 207 Tompkins St., Syracuse, NY. Marika will be laid to rest in the St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery, Syracuse, NY. In memory of Mary (Marika) Mychalczak contributions may be made to St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church, 207 Tompkins St., Syracuse, NY 13204 or Francis House, 108 Michaels Avenue, Syracuse, NY 13208. The family would like to thank those who provided Mary (Marika) with excellent compassionate care at Francis House.