In Memoriam: Matushka Karen Mahaffey
We are saddened to announce that Matushka Karen Mahaffey fell asleep in the Lord on Wednesday, August 8, 2007, after a long battle with cancer. She is the wife of Archpriest David Mahaffey, the Rector of Holy Trinity Orthodox Church in Pottstown.
Funeral services will be celebrated at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, August 10, at Holy Trinity Church in Pottstown. His Beatitude, Metropolitan Herman and His Grace, Bishop Tikhon, will preside along with concelebrating clergy.
On Saturday, August 11, at 1 p.m., a Panikhida will be served at the Monastery Church of St. Tikhon of Zadonsk, followed by burial at the Monastery Cemetery.
May Matushka Karen's memory be eternal!
The full obituary follows.
Obituary
Karen Elaine Meterko Mahaffey, of Pottstown, died Wednesday evening at home. She was the wife of the Very Rev. Sterry David Mahaffey Jr.
Born Oct. 15, 1952, in Spangler, daughter of Anna Baron Meterko, Burnside, and the late Michael Meterko Jr., she was a graduate of Harmony Area High School, class of 1970, and was senior class secretary and active in the high school band and 4-H Club. A graduate of
Known to all as Matushka Karen, Matushka being the Russian title for a priest's wife, she was a lifelong servant of God who always used her talents to benefit others. Very gifted musically, she played the saxophone and piano and directed church choirs in her home parish of SS. Peter and Paul Orthodox Church and St. Michael's Orthodox Church, Old Forge, where she was also a member while her husband was assigned there as rector. She also sang in the
Originally from West
In 2003, Matushka Karen was diagnosed with a rare form of melanoma and fought a valiant battle against this dreaded disease for the rest of her life, remaining very active until a few weeks before her passing.
Also surviving are four children, Nikolas David, Dunmore; Sterry Michael and wife, the former Nicole Koch, Lansdale; Seth Robert, West Pittston; and Kyra Ann, who resided with her parents in Pottstown; a sister, Phyllis Bracken, Mahaffey; and two brothers, Eric and Kevin Meterko, both of the family homestead in Burnside Township.
The funeral service will be today at 7 p.m. in Holy Trinity Orthodox Church, Mervine and Juniper streets,
Friends may call today, 4 to 7 p.m., at Holy Trinity Orthodox Church and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at St. Tikhon's Monastery. Arrangements by Semian Funeral Home,
In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations in her memory be sent to Holy Trinity Orthodox Church, 1230 N. Hanover St., Pottstown, 19464; or the Matushka Karen Mahaffey Scholarship Fund, St. Tikhon's Seminary, P.O. Box 130, South Canaan, 18459.
Born Oct. 15, 1952, in Spangler, daughter of Anna Baron Meterko, Burnside, and the late Michael Meterko Jr., she was a graduate of Harmony Area High School, class of 1970, and was senior class secretary and active in the high school band and 4-H Club. A graduate of
Known to all as Matushka Karen, Matushka being the Russian title for a priest's wife, she was a lifelong servant of God who always used her talents to benefit others. Very gifted musically, she played the saxophone and piano and directed church choirs in her home parish of SS. Peter and Paul Orthodox Church and St. Michael's Orthodox Church, Old Forge, where she was also a member while her husband was assigned there as rector. She also sang in the
Originally from West
In 2003, Matushka Karen was diagnosed with a rare form of melanoma and fought a valiant battle against this dreaded disease for the rest of her life, remaining very active until a few weeks before her passing.
Also surviving are four children, Nikolas David, Dunmore; Sterry Michael and wife, the former Nicole Koch, Lansdale; Seth Robert, West Pittston; and Kyra Ann, who resided with her parents in Pottstown; a sister, Phyllis Bracken, Mahaffey; and two brothers, Eric and Kevin Meterko, both of the family homestead in Burnside Township.
The funeral service will be today at 7 p.m. in Holy Trinity Orthodox Church, Mervine and Juniper streets,
Friends may call today, 4 to 7 p.m., at Holy Trinity Orthodox Church and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at St. Tikhon's Monastery. Arrangements by Semian Funeral Home,
In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations in her memory be sent to Holy Trinity Orthodox Church, 1230 N. Hanover St., Pottstown, 19464; or the Matushka Karen Mahaffey Scholarship Fund, St. Tikhon's Seminary, P.O. Box 130, South Canaan, 18459.
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