May 16, 2012 2 min read

Esther (Eski) Kukurugya, age 90, of Coolspring, Pa., passed peacefully on Monday, May 14, 2012 at Hillside Manor. She was born on August 4, 1921 in Uniontown, Pa., to the late Michael Eski and Anna (Kenderes Snyder) Eski.

Esther was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 64 years, Julius S. Kukurugya and siblings, Anna Yozie, Mary Faygos, Bridget Suich, Michael Eski, John Eski, Sue Sichitano, Martha Kundly, Elizabeth Eski and Helen Barto.

Esther loved gardening, cooking, and baking for her family and friends. She especially loved to read stories and play with her grandchildren. She crocheted, made numerous varieties of wine, kept honey bees, and enjoyed artistic activities. During her younger years she worked at Axelrad’s dress shop and Warman Publishing Co. She was president of the NU Band Parents Assn. and coordinated fund raising dances for teens. Esther was a member of St. Mary (Nativity) Roman Catholic Church, in Uniontown, Pa.

Left to cherish her memory are her children, Julius Kukurugya and wife Margaret of Orillia, Ontario, Esther Ann Waltz and husband John of Jefferson Hills, Pa., and Jerome Kukurugya and wife Lois of Uniontown, Pa.; grandchildren: John Sherman Waltz, M.D. and wife Julie of Boise, Idaho, Erin Leigh Ceh and husband Robert of Mars, Pa., Julie Michelle Ulery and husband Brian of Athens, Georgia, Natalie Marie Graham and husband Keith of Cape Coral, Florida, Jerome M. J. Kukurugya and wife Anne of Cape Coral, Florida, and Jae Fratzl and husband Gerald of Orillia, Ontario; great-grandchildren: Tatiana Elane, Alexis Marie, and Stefan Alexander Waltz, Kevin Aaron, Kendall Alyse, and Ryan Robert Ceh, Jackson Davis, Parker Coleman, and Evan Adams Ulery, Addison Marie Graham, and Jerome M. Julius Kukurugya; and a sister Ruth Workman of Coolspring, Pa.; a devoted friend, Mary Ann Markusic; and many nieces and nephews. Friends w i l l be received a t t h e STEPHEN R. H A K Y FUNERAL HOME, INC., 6 0 3 N. Gallatin Ave. Extension, Uniontown,PA (www.hakyfuneralhome.com) on Thursday, May 17, 2012 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. and on Friday, May 18 until 9:30 a.m. when Prayers of transfer will be said.

A Funeral Mass will follow at St. Mary (Nativity) Roman Catholic Church at 10:00 a.m., with Rev. Fr. Stephen R. Bugay as Celebrant.

Interment will follow at Sylvan Heights Cemetery, Uniontown, Pa.

Parish Wake Service will be held on Thursday, May 17 at the Funeral Home at 3:30 p.m.