Maria Szwec

Maria Szwec, a resident of Northeast Philadelphia, died Saturday, November 10, 2018.  She was 91.  

Maria was born in the town of Litija, Slovenia; she was the daughter of the late Franz and Rosalia (Kirchliaker) Urbania.  Orphaned at the age of 12, Maria was raised by a kind family as their own and eventually made her way to Austria where she was trained as a Red Cross nurse's aide.  While working at the hospital, Maria met Mykola Szwec who had been wounded in battle and who she nursed back to health.  They later married after the war.

Maria and Mykola and their toddler son Igor emigrated to the United States, arriving in 1950.  They settled in the Northern Liberties section of Philadelphia where they worshiped at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception; they later moved to the Logan section of the city and joined Christ the King Ukrainian Catholic Church.  They remained faithful parishioners there even after moving to Northeast Philadelphia.

Maria was employed for many years as a seamstress for M&M Knitting Mills and was a member of ACTWU. She loved knitting, crocheting, baking, cooking and keeping an immaculate home. She was an active member of the Ladies Auxilliary at her church and also helped prepare food and helped at events at Tryzyb Ukrainian Club. She never hesitated to help those in need and to visit the disabled. She ended up nursing Mykola again at home after a debilitating accident at work until he peacefully passed away at home after a long debilitating ordeal.

She is predeceased by her husband, Mykola Szwec (Mykola died in 1987) and is survived by her son Igor Szwec and his wife Oxana.  She is also predeceased by her dear companion and longtime family friend, Zachary Orletskiy.

Relatives and friends are invited to her viewing on Friday, November 16, 2018, at 9 AM at Christ the King Ukrainian Catholic Church.  Requiem Liturgy will be celebrated at 10 AM. 

Burial will follow at Lawnview Cemetery, Rockledge, PA.

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