Katherine Schurga

 Age 87, passed away peacefully at home after an extended illness on Monday, September 24^th, 2012.

She was born in Truszewicz, Ukraine to the late John and Katherine (Gula) Jacyna.  During World War II, at age 16, she was taken from her village by the Nazis for forced labor in Germany.

While in a displaced persons camp in Ludwigsburg after the war, she met and married her beloved husband, Walter, also from Ukraine. Their son, Walter Jr., was born there in 1946.

In 1948, Walter and Katherine were sponsored by her uncle in the Pittsburg, PA area, and emigrated to the U.S. In 1950, Walter found work at the DuPont Co. in Newport, DE and the family moved to Wilmington.

Katherine was a tireless worker; raising her family, keeping a spotless home and was employed full time at Ludlow Textiles for many years until her retirement.

She was a proud member of St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church and the Apostleship of Prayer. Her baking and cooking skills were often in use for church dinners and other events, and especially at home. She generously welcomed family, friends and neighbors into her home for meals and conversation at any time. Both she and Walter were kind, generous and helpful to any in need. They were also very prominent in church activities; they loved dancing, Ukrainian festivals, holidays with family and friends and keeping and passing down their Ukrainian customs in their daily life.

A loving mother, grandmother and sister, Katherine will be deeply missed by her son, Walter Jr. and wife, Lynne of Newark, DE; daughter, Rose Marie Waters and husband, Michael of Concord, NC; and son, Roman John and wife, Carla of Wilmington, DE.

She is also survived by her grandchildren, Roman, Nicole and Audra Schurga of Wilmington, DE; Cory Waters of Flemington, NJ; Karla Waters, Kearney, NJ; Kevin Waters and wife Danielle, Flemington, NJ; Hayley Waters, Nazareth, PA; great grandchildren, Nathan Schurga, Wilmington, DE; Trevor Waters, Kearney, NJ; Gianna Vastino and Isabella Waters, Flemington, NJ.

In Ukraine, she is survived by her sister, Fruzina Jacyna, and many nieces and nephews in Ukraine and U.S.

Katherine was predeceased by her husband, Walter in 2008 after 62 years of marriage, and by her sister, Mary in Ukraine.

The family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude to Compassionate Care Hospice for their support and skillful care given to Katherine in her finals days-especially Tiffany and Lisa! Special thanks, also, to her devoted caregiver, Nuria.

Services will be held on Saturday, September 29^th at St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church with visitation at 9AM with services to follow at 10AM.  Interment to follow at All Saints Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations in memory of Mrs. Schurga to St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church, 801 Lea Blvd., Wilmington, DE. 19802.

 Service Information