Obituary for Mary Elizabeth Truka    

Mary Elizabeth Truka passed away, surrounded by her family, on Sunday, May 22, 2016, after suffering a stroke. Mary was 93 years old. Mary was born to Harvey and Josephine Smith on July 23, 1922, in Meadville, Pennsylvania. She was an elder sister to her two siblings, Robert Smith and Shirley Smith Siener. Mary spent her childhood in Meadville and Oil City, Pennsylvania. She then attended Bethany College where she graduated with a degree in psychology.
After her graduation, Mary moved to Marion, Ohio to join her family who had relocated to Ohio after the start of World War II. It was in Marion that Mary met her husband, Richard D. Truka. The couple was married in 1947 and raised two daughters, Jo Ann and Barbara.
Mary began a career in social work before finding her true calling—teaching. Mary’s teaching career spanned fifty-four years and started in Marion. While in Marion, Mary taught at St. Mary’s Catholic School, Vernon Street Elementary, and Pleasant Elementary. Mary also taught psychology at the Marion Correctional Institute where she endeared herself to the corrections officers and her pupils as a caring and no-nonsense instructor.
In 1986, Mary moved from Marion, Ohio to Miami, Florida, where her daughter, Jo Ann, lived with her family. In Miami, Mary began a twenty-five year relationship with Epiphany Catholic School where she served as a reading specialist. Mary helped countless young children overcome their struggles with reading and shared her love of the written word with the entire Epiphany community. Mary also served as an invaluable resource to Epiphany’s teachers who often came to her for advice and counsel. While at Epiphany, Mary met Sister Marie Theresa Jones, a dear friend and confidant, whose friendship lasted over twenty-years. Mary retired from Epiphany in 2010 at the age of 88 as a truly beloved and cherished teacher, colleague, and friend to all.
Mary prized her family above all else and traveled often to Dallas to visit her daughter, Barbara, and her grandchildren. Mary also made frequent trips to Cleveland, Chattanooga, and Orlando to visit other family members. Mary was the matriarch of three generations of her family who loved her dearly.
Mary was preceded in death by her daughter, Barbara, grandson, P.J., her siblings Robert and Shirley, her husband, and her parents. She is survived by her daughter, Jo Ann Sheehe and her sons-in-law, Phillip Sheehe and Jim Graham. She was a proud grandmother to four grandchildren, Johanna and Brooksley Sheehe and Ryan and Kaylyn Graham, and her great-grandson, Tallan. Mary also loved and cherished her four nieces, Mary Siener Ferguson, Sally Siener Cooper, Lori Siener Heagy, and Wendy Siener Kelly.
Visitation will be held at the Stanfill Funeral Home on Thursday, May 26th from 6 to 8pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Epiphany Catholic Church, 8235 SW 57th Ave, Miami, FL 33143 on Friday, May 27th at 10am, [immediately followed by burial at Woodlawn Park South]. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Epiphany School Endowment Fund, 8081 S.W. 54th Court, Miami, Florida 33143.