BUTCHKO, HELEN

91, was a longtime Bayonne resident. She passed away in December while living in Upstate New York. Born and raised in Bayonne, Helen was the daughter of the late Mrs. Mary (nee Fedors) and Mr. John Yurechko. Helen also maintained a home in Lake Hopatcong. A lifelong communicant of St. John’s Byzantine Catholic Church in Bayonne, Helen was devoted to the Eastern Christian Faith, and Russian (Rusyn) American cultural causes. In 1997, during the 100th Anniversary festivities of the founding of St. John’s Church, Helen was chosen by the parish to officially welcome the Byzantine Bishop, Andrew Pataki, to the celebration. Bishop Pataki was the cousin of former New York Governor George Pataki. A member of both the Bengal Club and the Presidents Club at Trump Taj Mahal Casino in Atlantic City for more than 25 years, Helen met with Donald Trump at various events. She was an avid bingo player and bowled with the Western Electric retirees. She travelled frequently to Europe and within the United States. Helen was predeceased by her husband of 64 years, Chester Butchko, as well as her sisters: Eva and Anna Yurechko, Mrs. Mary Plaskon, Mrs. Susan Vavrence, and Mrs. Kathryn Pusczko, and her brothers John, Joseph, and Steven Yurechko. She is survived by her daughter, Mrs. Marilyn Amadeo, and her son, Mr. Jack Butchko, and their families, as well as many friends and other relatives. Helen was laid to rest at Holy Cross Cemetery in North Arlington, following services at St. John the Baptist Byzantine Catholic Church in Bayonne.

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