Obituary

“I used to think of my life in decades, but now I think of my life in moments, minutes, and days, each one a gift because we’re not promised tomorrow”

How can we say goodbye to you?  For 93 years you have been so much a part of so many peoples’ lives. You were an inspiration to everyone that you touched. Your talents and enthusiasm for life were contagious. Born Mary Melnyk on April 24,1917 in Plains Pennsylvania, the 9^th child of eleven. You always fought hard to try to better yourself through education and hard work, becoming a noted fashion designer using the “MERRI” name. You married John Mohanco in 1941 and with him had two sons, John and George. They were raised with all the love and care that any two people could give. After John’s death in 1983, you remarried a wonderful man named Leonard “Chet” Chesterfield and continued your life adventure by moving to Florida. Here, you again made a name for yourself by giving your talents to the theatre and your love to our wounded American veterans. You left our world on February 24^th with all the class, kindness, and spirit of adventure you have shown all your life. We will never forget you.

Your survivors are your sons George Mohanco (Bonnie Becker), Pensacola Fl, and John Mohanco (Lilia Ostapenko), Vienna Va.; Husband Chet Chesterfield, Homossassa Fl,; grand children Alania Mohanco, Vienna,VA, Nazar Ostapenko, Vienna,VA; Robin Heller (Chaz), Pensacola Fl; Becker Mohanco (Jennifer) Pensacola Fl. Brothers Bill Melnyk, Lathrup Villlage MI; George Melnyk (Irene), Endicott,NY; Sisters Irene Melnyk, Plains PA, Helen Melnyk, Plains PA; and Alice Zaley, Wilkes-Barre PA; As per your wishes, there will be no formal ceremony. In lieu of flowers, please make any donations to her granddaughter’s non-profit swim league., Seastars Aquatics, In C/O Robin Heller , 5425 Hibiscus Rd. Pensacola Fl 32504 or online at Seastarsaquatics.org. Please share your thoughts at http://www.marymohancochesterfield.blogspot.com/  or Email at merrichesterfld@aol.com         

Friends Memories

Plans

After moms passing, Chet and George met with the Crematory Service. Her wishes were to be cremated with no service. Her notes said “have a party and don’t mourn”.  Half of the ashes will be interred above ground at the Brooksville National Military Cemetery in Bushnell Florida. Chet is a Navy veteran from WWII.  Here, there will be a niche for two and a final place for Chet also.

There will be a get together in Homossassa Fl for her local friends in March. Bonnie and George will attend and bring back the other half back to Pensacola. We will have a family ceremony at the beach she loved so much with the six of us-Bonnie, George, Robbie, Chaz, Becker, and Jennifer. Some time in the future, George will meet up with Josh and put the other half with John in Olyphant PA. We may also put some ashes in Plains (where she grew up), Franklin Street (where she raised us) and Harvey’s Lake (where she lived before Florida).     

Family Memories