Carteret, New Jersey
Jaroslawa Tkaczyk, 96, of Carteret passed away on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at Robert Wood Johnson Medical Center in Rahway.
Born in Rakowecz, Ukraine, Jaroslawa emigrated to the United States in 1951 and settled in Carteret and began her career as a seamstress at Carteret Novelty Company. After years as a seamstress, she began her role as a homemaker, caring for and raising her loving family. Jaroslawa was a devoted parishioner of St. Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church in Carteret, a member of the Ukrainian Catholic Women's League and was always involved working every year with the St. Mary's pierogi workers. She enjoyed many things including baking, making clothing for family and friends and designing costumes for theatrical plays, to name a few. Jaroslawa was always persistent through her ailments and fought through a difficult life to be sure she could provide for her family. She will be remembered as a loving mother, baba, and mother-in-law.
Jaroslawa was predeceased by her husband in 2012, Stefan Tkaczyk; her son, Bohdan Tkaczyk; her parents, Ivan and Julia Zaparaniuk along with all of her siblings. Surviving are her son, Taras Tkaczyk; grandchildren, Larissa Cruz with her husband Angel, Amy Bodnar with her husband Garrett and Sara Tkaczyk; great granddaughter, Cassidy Bodnar along with her daughter-in-law, Doris Tkaczyk.
Funeral services will begin at 8:15am on Tuesday, February 3, 2026 from CHUBENKO FUNERAL HOME, 625 Port Reading Avenue, Port Reading followed by a 9:30am funeral liturgy at St. Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church in Carteret. Interment will follow at St. Gertrude Cemetery in Colonia.
Visitation will be held on Monday, February 2, 2026 from 4pm to 8pm at the funeral home with the Parastas service beginning at 7pm.
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Jaroslawa may be made to St. Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church, 719 Roosevelt Avenue, Carteret, NJ 07008.
Aberdeen, New Jersey
Maria Kushnir, passed away on January 24, 2026, surrounded by her loving family, in Aberdeen, New Jersey, leaving behind a legacy of love and dedication. Born on January 1, 1941, in the quaint village of Szczepiatyn, Ukraine, Maria's journey led her to touch many lives with her warmth and kindness.
Maria was the loving daughter of the late John and Tekla (Raczynsky) Ulhursky, and she grew up surrounded by the nurturing love of family. She carried this sense of familial devotion throughout her life, a trait that became the cornerstone of her own family. Maria was predeceased by her devoted husband, John Kushnir, her caring brother, Michael Ulhursky, and her respected brother-in-law, Adam Kazio.
Her spirit is carried on by her adoring children, Irene Pender and her husband Jimmy, Peter Kushnir and Alexandra DeSena and her husband Billy. Maria was a beacon of guidance and affection for her grandchildren, John Pender and his husband Brandon, Andrew Pender and his wife MaryKate, Marie Pender, and Brandon DeSena. The light of her life shone brightest with the arrival of her great-grandchild, Rory Pender. Maria also leaves behind her two sisters, Ann Kazio and Irene Kozak and her husband John, her sister-in-law Krystyna Ulhursky, many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends, all of whom were blessed to have been a part of her life. Above all else, Maria’s life was defined by her unwavering devotion to her family. Her children and grandchildren were her greatest pride and purpose, and she met each role she held—with love, sacrifice, and quiet strength—with her family always at the center of her heart.
In 1971, Maria embarked on a courageous new chapter of her life, immigrating to the United States in pursuit of a better life for her children, and the promise of new opportunities. This Journey also reunited her with her father, mother and sister's. Maria moved to Carteret, New Jersey, where she raised her family. She later settled in Aberdeen in 2015, where she continued to cultivate a home filled with love and open doors. Maria's professional life was marked by her role as a dedicated Maintenance Engineer at Merk Industries in Rahway, New Jersey, from which she retired after years of committed service.
Maria's interests were a reflection of her nurturing soul. She found joy in sewing, creating beautiful pieces for her loved ones, and in gardening, where she nurtured plants with the same tenderness she showed her family. Her gardens were a testament to her patience and care, blossoming under her attentive eye. Above all, Maria loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren, who were the recipients of her boundless love and cherished stories of her life's adventures.
Family and friends are invited to visit on Tuesday, January 27, 2026 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM and Wednesday, January 28, 2026 from 9:15 AM to 10:00 AM at Shore Point Funeral Home and Cremation Services Inc., 3269 State Highway/ Route 35 North, Hazlet, New Jersey, 07730. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11:00 AM on Wednesday , January 28, 2026 at Saint Mary’s Ukrainian Church, 719 Roosevelt Avenue Carteret, New Jersey 07008. Maria’s interment will follow at Saint Gertrude Cemetery, 53 Inman Avenue Colonia, New Jersey 07001. For more information, directions or to send condolences to the family, please visit www.shorepointfh.com.
Jackson, New Jersey
Iwanna Raczynsky, 99, of Jackson passed away on Friday, February 6, 2026 surrounded by her family.
Born in Ukraine, Iwanna emigrated to the United States in 1957 and was a longtime resident of Carteret. Iwanna will be remembered as a strong and determined woman who worked hard throughout her life to provide a dignified life for her family. She was a devoted parishioner of St. Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church in Carteret where she was a member of the Ukrainian Women's Association as well as the Pierogi Workers. Iwanna was a loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother and aunt who will be deeply missed.
Iwanna was predeceased by her husband in 1998, John Raczynsky and her parents, Paul and Agnieszka Chanas. Surviving are her son, Peter Raczynsky with his significant other Judy Scollon; grandchildren, Peter J. Raczynsky with his significant other Melanie, Chris Raczynsky with his wife Manh-Dan Ngo-Raczynsky and Daniel Raczynsky with his wife Samantha; great grandchildren, Alana, Edwin, Amaya, Max, Alex and Sebastian along with her nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will begin at 8:45am on Wednesday, February 11, 2026 from CHUBENKO FUNERAL HOME, 625 Port Reading Avenue, Port Reading followed by a 10am Mass of Christian Burial at St. Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church, Carteret. Interment will follow at St. Gertrude Cemetery in Colonia.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, February 10, 2026 from 4pm to 8pm at the funeral home. Parastas will begin at 7pm.