Mary Sabo's Obituary
MARY RATICA SABO, age 97 and resident of Redondo Beach, CA departed this earth to join
her beloved husband of 63 years, Julius Sabo, on July 31, 2017. Mary was the daughter of
Czechoslovakian immigrants, Josef and Eva Katanik Ratica, having arrived at Ellis Island in
1923 at the age of four with her mother and brothers. Mary was always fond of recounting
stories of growing up in and around Cleveland, including the start of her budding family on the
Sabo farm in Medina. She was proud of the close and loving family with which she was
blessed. Favorite photos always included at least a dozen smiling family members and often
one of the parish priests of St. John’s Greek Catholic Church. Mary was fond of the memories
of her upbringing and sharing traditions and recipes from the “old country.” No one is likely to
forget her Chicken Paprikosh, pirogies, and holiday nut and poppy seed rolls, not to mention the
apricot and raspberry horn pastries.
Nor are the stories of the famous “basement parties” of Parma likely to die soon. Mary and
Julius enjoyed a large but close circle of friends & family who celebrated life together whenever
they could; and, all the Sabo/Ratica children share the fond memories from those years.
Mary was always an avid reader but she also loved to sing and dance---she even had the
opportunity to sing at Cleveland’s Aragon Ballroom in her younger days. She was a member of
the church choir for many years and always encouraged the family to sing together, especially
at the Christmas holidays. Mary enjoyed bowling and golf, and she was always ready for a nice
trip and a little adventure.
Along with her parents and husband, Mary is preceded in death by her brother Joseph and his
wife, Ann Sandor; her brother Andrew and his wife, Mary Galayda; her sister Ann and her
husband, Paul Turchetta. She is survived by her brothers John (wife Marge Prygluk, deceased);
George (wife Sally Tapal, deceased); and, Nick (wife Marilyn Fargo), as well as her children
Lois, Margie, John, Stephen, and Michael. Mary is also survived by seven grandsons.
Friends may call on Tuesday, August 8, 2017 from 4-8 PM at Yurch Funeral Home, 5618 Broadview Rd. Parma, OH. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on August 9, 2017 at 10:30 AM at St. John’s Byzantine Church, 1900 Carlton Road, Parma, OH. Burial will follow at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery, Rittman, OH.
What’s your fondest memory of Mary?
What’s a lesson you learned from Mary?
Share a story where Mary's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Mary you’ll never forget.
How did Mary make you smile?
