Latest news with #UrsulineHighSchool
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Colleen Solinger, Austintown, Ohio
AUSTINTOWN, Ohio (MyValleyTributes) – It is with deep sorrow and much love that we announce the sudden passing of Colleen Solinger, 74, who passed away Sunday, June 1, 2025. She left this world far too soon, and her absence is felt deeply by all who knew her. Born February 7, 1951, in Youngstown, Colleen was known for her giving heart and unwavering faith. She was a beloved mother, daughter, sister, aunt grandmother, friend, and dog mom—who poured love and care into every corner of her life. Find obituaries from your high school Colleen was a proud graduate of Ursuline High School, Class of 1969. She dedicated her career to serving children and families at Leonard Kirtz School, where she worked with deep compassion and joy until her retirement in October 2024. Retirement suited her well—she was enjoying it immensely, planning summer travel with family and friends, and dreaming of a long-awaited trip to Alaska. A creative spirit, Colleen loved crafting with her Cricut, sewing, painting, cross-stitching beautiful pieces, and making heartfelt gifts for friends and family. She found peace in her garden and joy in the company of her beloved Yorkie, Rosie. Her faith was central to her life, and she was deeply involved with the Social Concerns Committee at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, always seeking ways to serve others with kindness and generosity. She was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Stella Pruszkowski; her sister and brother-in-law, Phyllis and Ronald Lombel; her sister-in-law, Peggy Pruszkowski; and her aunts, Rose Sokol and Rose Murray. Colleen is survived by her three children, Melissa Solinger of Columbus, Erik Solinger and his wife Shawna of Beaver, Pa., and Elizabeth Solinger of Columbus. She was a devoted and loving grandmother to Abigail and Evelyn Solinger. She is also survived by her brother, Robert Pruszkowski of Arlington, Virginia; her aunt, Bernice Malik of Cuyahoga Falls; her beloved Yorkie, Rosie; and many cousins, nieces, nephews, and dear friends. Family and friends may call from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Monday, June 9, 2025, at Kinnick Funeral Home 477 N. Meridian Rd., Youngstown. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, June 10, 2025, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 4490 Norquest Blvd., Austintown. All are welcome to attend. In lieu of flowers, donations of new or gently used winter coats may be made to The Needle's Eye, 74 Kenmore Ave., Youngstown, OH 44507 – a cause very near to her heart. Coats may be delivered directly to the organization or dropped off at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church. Alternatively, those who wish may honor her memory by performing a kind act for someone else, just as she so often did. Her warmth, creativity, and love will remain with us 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Charles R. Kollar, Sr., Youngstown, Ohio
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (MyValleyTributes) – Charles R. Kollar, Sr. was a respected and beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather during his 94 years of life. He passed away peacefully in the early hours of Monday, May 19, 2025, at The Inn at Christine Valley. Charles 'Chuck' Kollar was born to Charles and Mary Kollar in Youngstown, Ohio on February 15th, 1931. Find obituaries from your high school He attended Holy Name Elementary School and was a 1949 graduate of Ursuline High School. He then attended Southwest Missouri State University on a football scholarship before leaving early to enlist in the US Navy. He proudly served in the Submarine Force during the Korean War on the USS Wahoo for four years. After returning home from his service in the Korean War, Chuck's sister, Theresa, introduced him to her dear friend, Margaret 'Peg' Brown. Chuck and Peg were married on October 1, 1955, at Holy Name Church. They were affectionately nicknamed, by all who knew them well, The Heat & Brown Sugar, and celebrated just shy of 70 years together. Chuck worked for 45 years at Ohio Bell Telephone as a linemen and district manager, but his real passion was rooted in the outdoors. An avid fisherman and hunter, his greatest fishing achievement was the 10-pound walleye he pulled through the ice on Pymatuning Lake, which is displayed on the wall of his family room. Chuck was devoted in every aspect of his life, namely his faith and his family. He was a member of Holy Name Church where he sang in the choir and served as a lector. His greatest joys were spent on the sidelines of his children's and grandchildren's sporting events. Chuck loved football, and cheering on his kids was a source of great pride for him. Chuck had a knack for outfitting common items to accommodate everyday needs. He made countless journeys up and down the basement stairs to his workspace where he tinkered for hours on end. In every room of his and Peg's home, evidence of Chuck's macgyvering exists. He is survived by his wife, Peg Kollar, and his children, Chuck (Barb) Kollar, Kathy (Bill) Glenellen, Ken (Diane) Kollar, Greg (Linda) Kollar, Jim (Amy) Kollar, Kurt (Laura) Kollar, and Lori (Mark) Heltzel. He also leaves behind 29 grandchildren, 22.75 great-grandchildren, and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, in-laws and friends. His family also extends special appreciation to his caregiver, Emily, to Ed and Diane Reese, and to the staff at The Inn at Christine Valley. He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Mary Kollar, his brother Jack (Donna) Kollar, and his sisters, Theresa (Wally) Bishop, Genevieve 'Gwen' (Joe) Knapp, and Julianne (Mort) Myrvold. Visitation will be held on Saturday May 24, 2025, at Higgins-Reardon Funeral Home (Address: 4303 Mahoning Ave, Austintown, OH 44515) from 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. with a mass following at 12:00 p.m. at St. Christine's Church (3165 S Schenley Ave, Youngstown, OH 44511). In lieu of flowers, we ask that donations be made in Chuck's name to Mahoning Valley Special Olympics (60 Westchester Drive, Suite 4, Austintown, OH 44515). For more information on MVSO or how to donate call 330-398-8266 or email MahoningCOSO@ To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Charles R. Kollar, please visit our flower store. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Dorothy Potocnak, Youngstown, Ohio
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (MyValleyTributes) – Dorothy Potocnak, 91, of the city's west side, passed away peacefully Saturday, May 10, 2025, at Greenbrier Healthcare Center in Boardman with her family by her side. Dorothy was born June 2, 1933, in Youngstown, a daughter of the late Michael and Mary Kovach Potocnak and was a lifelong west side resident. Find obituaries from your high school She was a 1951 graduate of Ursuline High School. She worked at First National Credit Union, Midland Finance and later at Wean United, from where she retired in 1985. After retiring, Dorothy dedicated herself to caring for her parents. Dorothy was a longtime member of the former, Our Lady of Sorrows Parish, Holy Name of Jesus Church. She was a kind and generous woman who loved children and animals, especially dogs, hummingbirds and butterflies. In her younger years, Dorothy enjoyed traveling, visiting destinations as far east as New York and as far south as Cuba, with many stops in between. She also had a passion for dancing and roller skating. Dorothy leaves to forever cherish her memory, her sister, Margaret Ong of Youngstown; her brother, Michael Potocnak of Youngstown; her niece, Marian Miller of Streetsboro; her nephew, Richard Ong and several extended family members. In addition to her parents, Dorothy was preceded in death by a brother-in-law, Harold Ong; a sister-in-law, Ann Potocnak and a nephew, Harold M. Ong. Family and friends may gather to pay respects from 10:30 – 11:00 a.m., Saturday, May 17, 2025, at St. Matthias Church, 915 Cornell Street in Youngstown, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Youngstown. Dorothy's family suggests memorial contributions be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Arrangements have been entrusted to Kinnick Funeral Home in Youngstown. To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Valley Catholic students react to pope selection
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) – It was fifth period Thursday when Ursuline High School juniors learned the world's 1.5 billion Catholics have a new Pope. And unlike previous generations, they could watch it all in real time. 'When we saw the white smoke and it came across the announcements, I just thought I want to get out my Chromebook and be able to watch this live,' said Evan Brockway, an Ursuline High School junior. These students are in the school's 'Social Awareness' class. They had been following the events in Rome for weeks, even making study aids for the College of Cardinals. The ultimate choice, though, caught them by surprise. 'It's pretty interesting to see the first American pope, and it's someone that wasn't looked at as a papal candidate,' Lantz said. Even their teacher, Campus Minister Nicky Uerling, never expected Chicago native Robert Prevost to be elected. 'I had jokingly told my students, as we were researching cardinals, you don't have to pay attention, we won't have an American pope, so I just told the kids I have to eat my words,' Uerling said. As part of this lesson, Uerling passed out short biographies of the new pontiff, but some had already started doing their own research. 'It was cool to hear he always wanted to be a priest. He was always holy, and he was always as a kid. He wanted to be pope,' said Mia Ricchiutti, an Ursuline High School junior. But their teacher says having an American Pope, who grew up and studied in this country, makes him instantly relatable. 'The kids were just asking me, do you think he watched the NCAA Championship when Villanova was playing, and so there's this automatic sense of community I think for our students, and for all of us,' Uerling said. A sense of community that could help unite the Church. 'There's always been those barriers between languages, especially with problems in Europe, so I feel like it's ushering in a new age. He could really be beneficial for the Church to come unite as one,' said Luke Lantz, an Ursuline High School junior. 'I think he is going to be a good leader, and I'm excited to see what he does,' Ricchiuti said. Chicago native, 69-year-old Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost, was selected to lead the Catholic Church. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Agnes R. Zajac, Austintown, Ohio
AUSTINTOWN, Ohio (MyValleyTributes) – Agnes R. Zajac, 86, passed away peacefully, Monday, April 28, 2025, at Hospice House with her family by her side. Agnes was born October 23, 1938, in Youngstown, a daughter of the late Stanley and Agnes A. Javorsky Kaminski and was a lifelong area resident. Find obituaries from your high school She was a proud graduate of Ursuline High School, class of 1956 and dedicated her life to raising and caring for her family. She later worked making eyeglasses for Optical One and held various other jobs throughout her life before she retired and even after. Mrs. Zajac was a member of St. Joseph Church in Austintown. She enjoyed bowling, reading, solving word jumbles and word search puzzles and playing games on her Kindle tablet. A devoted Buffalo Bills fan, she especially admired quarterback Jim Kelly. She also liked watching golf and was known for her cooking, especially her liver and onions and haluski. Most of all, Agnes cherished time spent with her family and many friends. Agnes is survived by her four children, Toni (Rick, Sr.) Nicholson of Warsaw, North Carolina, Mark A. (Daniele) Zajac of Fort Wayne, Indiana, JoAnn Zajac of Warren and Dennis M. Zajac, with whom she shared her home; nine grandchildren, Michael, Ricky, Jr., Celeste, Mark, Jr., Shannon, Dakota, Amanda, Rita and Kelley; 11 great-grandchildren and many extended family members and friends. Her husband of nearly 42 years, Paul E. Zajac, Sr., whom she married August 3, 1957, preceded her in death on July 17, 1999; she was also preceded in death by her son, Paul E. Zajac, Jr.; a granddaughter, Missy and two brothers, Robert and Victor Kaminski. Family and friends may gather to pay respects from 9:30 – 10:45 a.m., Saturday, May 3, 2025, at St. Blaise Parish, St. Joseph Church 4545 New Road, Austintown, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Youngstown, where Agnes will be laid to rest beside her husband. Arrangements have been entrusted to Kinnick Funeral Home in Youngstown. To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
