Mary M. Petko

Mary M. Petko passed away Tuesday, March 4, 2008 at Sunshine Terrace, after an 8 year battle with cancer. She was the youngest of five children born to Joseph Hornak and Anna Rohal. She grew up in Camp Bell, Ohio, and graduated from Campbell Memorial High School in 1947. She married Julius R. Petko on October 2, 1948 and was married 59 plus years. She leaves her husband Julius, a son Thomas, and a grandson, Matthew. She was preceded in death by her Father Joseph; her mother, Anna; Her siblings: Joseph, Anna DelBene John, and Staff Sgt. Michael, killed in the service of his country during World War II. Mary was a homemaker most of her life, she enjoyed sewing, crocheting, kintting learning to knit at age 50. She crocheted and made many lap robes for the U.S. Veterans while living in Florida. She also enjoyed cooking ethnic foods and baked goods. Many of her friends enjoyed these fine foods at holiday times. After living in Ohio for 50 years, Mary said it was time to move where the weather was warm. In 1981, we moved to Florida, a little retirement village called Nalcrest. She enjoyed the Nalcrest homemakers and this is where she began making lap robes and other crocheted items for the veterans. Mary was voted Mrs. Homemaker of Nalcrest in 1983 by her peers. While in Florida, Mary enjoyed bowling in a mixed league. But bingo was her passion. She also liked the slots once in a while. She also enjoyed dancing, that was held once every month. As we grew older, we thought it would be nice to live closer to our family. Our son lived in Logan, Utah, so this was the place we settled. After one year, Mary was diagnosed with breast cancer and the battle was on. Mary was a tough fighter and she fought to the bitter end; an eight year battle with Julius at her side and Tom to help. Mary endured chemo for four years, it gave her additional life, but eventually time ran out. A vigil and visitation will be held Thursday, March 6, 2008 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Nelson Funeral Home, 162 East 400 North. Friends may also call Friday morning, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the funeral home with Mass being held Friday at 12:00 noon at the St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 725 South 250 East, Hyde Park, Utah. Interment will be in the Logan Cemetery. Condolences may be extended online at www.nelsonfuneralhome.com . Mary leaves many nieces and nephews living across the USA. Special thanks go out to Dr. Ali Ben-Jacob and his staff and to Dr. Robert Nash and his staff, also to Intermountain Hospice for their wonderful team, Father Clarence Sandoval, all our friends who supported our family throughout this ordeal and three special ladies and their husbands from St. Thomas Aquinas Church, Aurelia and Dave Worley, Margaret and Austin McHugh, Jr., and Robert and Margaret Stepan.