Ethel June Turkovich – Donora

Ethel June Turkovich, 82, of Donora, passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 22, 2022, at her residence with her loving sons by her side. She was born on June 8, 1939, daughter of the late Samuel and Ethel Carbaugh Weightman. Born and raised in Fellsburg, Mrs. Turkovich was a 1959 graduate of Rostraver High School. She married the love of her life, Ralph Thomas Turkovich on Aug. 22, 1959, at Holy Cross Roman Catholic Church in Webster, and spent her entire married life as a resident of Donora. She was Catholic by faith and a member of St. Andrew the Apostle Parish. Mrs. Turkovich worked for 22 years in the dietary department for Havencrest Nursing Center and retired in 2004. During her lifetime she enjoyed crocheting, knitting, and sewing and created many beautiful clothing articles and Afghans. An avid reader, Ethel particularly loved reading mystery novels. Ethel was a proud breast cancer survivor since 1993. She was an avid Pittsburgh Steelers fan and never missed a game on the TV in 30 years. She had a love for animals, especially birds. She raised and bred canaries and finches as a hobby. She was a member of the Greater Pittsburgh Caged Bird Club, where she won many awards at bird shows with her two prized pets, “Coco” the conure and “Tico” the lovebird. Ethel loved swimming and relaxing on the shores of Lake Erie and many family vacations spent at the cottage at Geneva-on-the-Lake, Ohio. Her ancestors were among the earliest inhabitants in America. They emigrated to Maryland in the 1630s to escape the persecution of Catholics by the King of England. She had three ancestors who fought for American freedom under Gen. George Washington in the Revolutionary War from 1775-1783. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Ralph T. Turkovich Sr. on Dec. 15, 2020. Surviving to cherish her memory are her sons, Ralph Thomas Turkovich Jr. of Donora and Kevin Samuel (Marie) Turkovich of Tallmadge, Ohio; two sisters, Eleanore (Jim) Markle of Grand Rapids, Mich., and Debra (Les) Mankin of Fayette City; and a brother, Glenn Weightman of Corpus Christi, Texas. At the family’s request, visitation will be private.  Interment took place at Sacred Heart Cemetery, Monongahela. Arrangements have been entrusted to ANTHONY L. MASSAFRA FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATION SERVICE INC., 40 Second St. Ext., Carroll Township/Donora, PA 15033, 724-379-6900. To share a condolence, please visit www.massafrafuneralhome.com.