Tetiana L. Silecky

Tetiana Leonida Silecky, 90, beloved mother and grandmother, passed away peacefully on June 13, 2025. Tetiana was born on November 15, 1934, in L’viv, Ukraine, to Anna and Stefan Babiuk. Tetiana and her mother fled war-torn Ukraine to Germany during World War II and settled in the München Neu Freimann Displaced Persons Camp. In 1950, they immigrated to the United States. Julian Silecky and Tetiana were wed on October 8, 1960, in Newark, New Jersey. They settled in Sheffield Village, Ohio, where they raised six children.

Tetiana was a devoted and influential member of the Ukrainian community in Lorain, admired for her unwavering determination and optimistic spirit. She taught at the Ukrainian School and served as head of the Ukrainian Women’s League chapter in Lorain. A passionate supporter of the International Festival, she also led the Ukrainian International Committee for many years.

Gifted with artistic talent, Tetiana expressed her creativity through painting, embroidery, ceramics, and making pysanky (Ukrainian Easter eggs). Her artwork was exhibited multiple times at the Lorain Public Library and featured in the Lorain Journal, reflecting both her skill and her deep ties to the community.

She was also a dedicated member of St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church in Lorain, where she contributed in many ways—including making perogies, teaching catechism, supporting children's programs, and serving for many years on the Board of Trustees.

After retirement, Tetiana and Julian split their time between Sheffield Village and North Port, Florida, eventually settling permanently in North Port. Tetiana continued her activism by supporting St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Church and the local branch of the Ukrainian Women’s League in many ways.

A devoted and loving mother and grandmother, she cherished spending time with her kids and 12 grandchildren, traveling with them, and joyfully passing down the rich traditions and heritage of the Ukrainian culture.

Tetiana was preceded in death by her husband of 39 years, Dr. Julian Silecky, MD, in 1999. She is survived by her children Taras (Chrystyna), Markian (Julie), Jurij (Christine), Anya Piazza (Francesco), Myroslaw (Barbara), Jaroslaw, and 12 grandchildren: Matej, Adam, Nicholas, Victor, Alexander, Sofijka, Sonya, Maksim, Oriana, Adrian, Maya, and Julian.

The family will be receiving friends on Tuesday from 3:00 to 7:00 pm at the Dovin Funeral and Cremation Specialists, 2701 Elyria Avenue, Lorain. A Panachida (memorial service) will be held at 6:30 pm.

Funeral services will take place on Wednesday at 9:30 am at the funeral home, followed by Divine Liturgy at 10:00 am at St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church, 3038 Charleston Avenue, Lorain. The officiating pastor will be the Very Rev. Mitred Archpriest Fr. Steven M. Paliwoda. Entombment will follow at Calvary Cemetery, Lorain. 

Memorial donations can be made in her name to St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church, 3038 Charlestown Ave, Lorain, Ohio, or The Ukrainian World Foundation USA (UWF-USA) (information at https://uwfusa.org/donate/).