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Phyllis Pirko Obituary

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Phyllis Pirko

Warren, OH

August 22, 1931 - August 15, 2019

Phyllis Pirko Obituary

On the 15th day of August, 2019 Phyllis Rose Adams Pirko of McKinley Heights / Niles Ohio passed into Eternity during her 88th year of life, to Rest in the Peace of the Righteous. Phyllis was born in East Liverpool Ohio on the 22nd of August 1931, the daughter of Ruby Pearl Adams Nafe and Edgar "Eck" Lutton. Phyllis' parents soon separated, and her father died not long thereafter. Raised by a single working mother during the Great Depression and World War II, Phyllis developed a formidable, independent, creative personality capable of great accomplishments. Her grandparents, Daniel Washington Adams and Mary Hedley Adams, assisted her mother Ruby with raising Phyllis at their farm in Columbiana County, Ohio. Phyllis often recalled her fond and interesting memories of life on her grandparents' farm, and of living with her mother in Cleveland, Austintown, Mineral Ridge, and Niles, Ohio Years later, Phyllis' mother Ruby Adams married Nick Nafe, who was a wonderful grandfather for Phyllis' sons, until his death in 1970. While working at the Midway Restaurant in Niles, Ohio, Phyllis met a serious US Navy Combat Veteran Electrician, Michael Pirko, who saw in Phyllis a most extraordinary lady who would become his bride. They were married on the 25th of May 1950, and remained together for a half-century until Michael's death on the 29th day of December 2000. Together they raised five sons, each of whom became accomplished in their diverse fields of expertise: Michael James (Nancy) Pirko, Richard Alan (Victoria) Pirko, James Jay Pirko, Thomas Andrew (Jan) Pirko, and Charles William Pirko. Richard and Charles preceded Phyllis in death in 2008 and 2012 respectively. Phyllis had an insightful and creative mind that inspired learning and accomplishments throughout her life. Phyllis was awarded a US Patent for her preschool children's game inspired by the Space program of the early 1960s. Her husband Michael drew the artwork, and her sons helped with experimental play for refining the game. Phyllis was very active with the MMBA Auxiliary for the McKinley Heights Mutual Benefit Association and Volunteer Fire Department, of which her husband Michael was one of the Founders in 1950. Phyllis was a Cub Scout Den Mother and Pack Leader for Pack 39 and Den 7 at Washington Elementary School in Niles. Phyllis taught and inspired character building and practical skills to Cub Scouts for more than a decade, while her sons James, Thomas, and Charles were Cub Scouts. Phyllis also mentored theater students in the youth theater program at the Niles YMCA, when her sons James, Thomas, and Charles were in that program. Wherever she went, Phyllis stepped forward to help with her service and leadership, for which she was so much loved and admired by so many who encountered her. Throughout her life, Phyllis was an avid reader of books, magazines, and newspapers. She was a fountain of knowledge on many diverse topics, which she shared freely. Phyllis enjoyed listening to classical music, as well as watching classic movies and TV shows. In addition to her family, Phyllis loved her cats, especially Lucy the Siamese who was her constant companion for 17 years, TC the Calico who showed up as a stray and spent 17 years being the perfect cat, and Buttons her grey tabby whom she brought with her into her marriage in 1950. Gratitude is extended to the dedicated professionals at the Oasis Center for Rehabilitation and Healing, Saint Elizabeth Hospital, and Hospice House for the care she received. Also gratitude is extended to her cousins, nieces, and nephews, as well as to her neighbor "Scotty," each of whom did so much for Phyllis in her later years. Arrangements for Phyllis was entrusted to Borowski Funeral Services and Oak Meadow Cremation Services. There are no public calling hours, and private services were held for her direct family prior to cremation. Please visit www.oakmeadowcremation.com to send condolences to the family.

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Events

Event information can be found on the Official Obituary of Phyllis Pirko.