Thecla Kurylo, A Poughkeepsie Resident, Dies at 75

Thecla Kurylo, of Poughkeepsie, passed into eternal rest on Tuesday, January 10th 2017. She was 75.

She was the daughter of Danylo and Anna Baryluk. Born in Ontario, Canada, she moved to Hastings, NY as a child, graduating from Hastings High School in 1960 and eventually meeting her husband of 55 years. On August 5, 1961, she married Alex Kurylo at St. Michael's Ukrainian Catholic Church in Yonkers, NY, who survives at home.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by her four children; Michael, his wife Kim and sons Daniel and David of Michigan, Mary Ann Mesuda, her husband Don, and children Stacie of Colorado, and Joseph and Vincent of Hopewell Junction, Natalie and her husband Tim O’Donnell of Tennessee, and Nicholas, his wife Deborah, and daughter Sacha of Fishkill.

Thecla also leaves behind her twin sister Frances Melnychuk of Yonkers, NY, and sister Pauline Kucharczyk of Palm Coast, Florida, along with several nieces and nephews.

Thecla was a parishioner of Holy Trinity Ukrainian Catholic Church in Kerhonkson, NY. She was one of the original members of the Ukrainian National Women’s League of America, Branch 95. She also served as the church’s treasurer, and volunteered for many activities such as making pierogies and crafts to sell at fairs. Thecla also volunteered for the Heart Association in Dutchess County.

Mrs. Kurylo worked at a local credit union for many years, starting out as a teller, then loan officer, and finally retiring as a branch manager. She was a skilled seamstress, able to make clothing for her daughters and their dolls, made bedspreads with matching curtains, flower girl dresses, and was adept at all forms of needlework like traditional Ukrainian cross-stitch, embroidery, crocheting and knitting.

Family will receive friends on Friday, January 13, 2017 from 3-7pm at Wm. G. Miller Funeral Home, 371 Hooker Ave, Poughkeepsie. A Ukrainian Panachyda service will be held that evening at 6:30pm by Rev. Dr. Ivan Kaszczak. A mass of Christian burial will be offered on Saturday, January 14th at 10:30am at Holy Trinity Ukrainian Catholic Church, 211 Foordmore Rd, Kerhonkson, NY, with burial to follow at Holy Spirit Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery in Campbell Hall, NY.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Holy Trinity Ukrainian Catholic Church.