Helen Merichko

Helen Merichko New Alexandria Helen Merichko, 91, of New Alexandria, died Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018, in Bethlen Home Hospice, Ligonier. She was born Oct. 31, 1926, in New Alexandria to Harry Samella and Mary Pishko Samella. Helen retired after 20 years of service from Troutmans Department Store in Greensburg, where she was a sales clerk. She was very active in Democratic politics. She loved polka dances, playing bingo and her daily 2-mile walk around Keystone Lake State Park. She was a member of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church in Salem Township. Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, George "Bud" Merichko, in 1995; brothers, Joe, Frank and John; and a sister, Cathryn. She is survived by two daughters, Marlene Cecchini, of Greensburg, and Patti Bourbonus, of Blairsville; grandchildren, Christopher Cecchini (Reena) and Nicholas Cecchini (Cristin), all of Pittsburgh; great-grandchildren, Anna, Evan and Jacob; several nieces and nephews; a sister, Mary Davis; and a brother, George Samella. Visitation will be from 3 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018, at P. DAVID NEWHOUSE FUNERAL HOME, 215 Church St., New Alexandria, newhousefuneralhome.com, where a service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2018, with the Rev. Monsignor Larry Kiniry officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Hill Cemetery, Crabtree, Unity Township

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