It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Irene Cehelsky of Bronx, NY, on June 25, 2021 at 100 years of age. She is predeceased by her husband Michael. She is survived by her family: daughters Marta Cehelsky (John Saylor), Melania Conte (Jeffrey), Susanna Rak (Ihor), Hania Powch (George), and Priscilla Cehelsky (Jeffrey Sachs); grandchildren: Evan Conte (Amanda Wright), Tatiana Conte, Gregory Rak (Kim), Stephen Rak, Andrew Powch (Nicole), Maya Page (Michael), Michael Sachs, and Natalia Sachs; and her great grandchildren: Teodor and Clara Rak, Roman and Sierra Powch, Jules, Skye, and Wren Page, and Lane and Alexander Conte.
She was born in Ukraine, held degrees in pharmacology and anthropology, and served as the long term curator of the museum of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA. She was devoted to her family, her community, and her Ukrainian traditions. She will be missed by everyone who knew her.
Services will be held on Wednesday, June 30, 2021 at the Ukrainian Memorial Church in South Bound Brook NJ at 11:30 a.m. with a private committal. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Irene Cehelsky would be appreciated to the Ukrainian History and Education Center, 135 Davidson Ave., Somerset, NJ 08873; www.ukrhec.org/donate