Obituary for Judith C. Hornyak (Nielsen)
It is with great sadness that we announce that the beloved matriarch of our family, Judith Nielsen Hornyak of Erie has been reunited in Heaven with our father, Francis Hornyak on Friday June 17, 2022. Judy was born December 23, 1933, the daughter of the late Edwin Gifford and Ailsa Holland Nielsen.
Judy graduated in the last February class of 1952 from Academy High School and enjoyed many class reunions with her group of friends. During high school, she worked at G.C. Murphy’s and would spend her paychecks on outfits for her baby sister, Linda. Upon graduating high school, she was a Sunday School teacher at Henderson Methodist Church while she worked at General Telephone Company until she married. Judy was a member of the Siebenbuerger Club and Wesley United Methodist Church. She enjoyed going to the casino, her pet cats, eating out and playing bingo. Judy had an exceptional sense of humor and created much laughter for her family and at any event she attended.
Judy met the love of her life, Frank Hornyak, at a square dance. Her fiancé, Frank, was called to active duty in the Army and was stationed in Germany. After completing basic training, his tour had another 13 months to go so Judy decided to go to Germany and marry him. They traveled quite a bit in Germany and Austria. When they came home to Erie, PA in 1957, they brought the first of their four daughters, Lori, home with them at the age of 2 ½ months old. They settled in Southeast Erie for 62 years. They were blessed to have great neighbors that were also their friends.
In addition to her parents, Judy was preceded in death by her loving husband of 49 years, Francis and his parents, John and Elizabeth Hornyak, her brother David Nielsen and her sister and partner in crime that lived across the street, Diane (Butch) Barthelmes, two sons in law John Connelly and Richard McKinney, her brother and sister-in-law, John and Marilyn Hornyak.
Survivors include, four daughters, aka her Hungarian Jewels: Lori McKinney, Lisa Connelly, Leslie Hornyak (Mark Buchkovich) and Amy Erdely (fiancé Brian Pawlak). Three grandchildren Matthew (Cheryl) Kuffer and their children Victoria, Madison and Charlotte, Mark Connelly (John Carr), Kelsey and Joe Conde. Her sister and brother-in-law, Linda and Chuck Tillich, dear cousin Patty Heasley and husband Dick, dear friends Donna Bussard and Janet Pfister and many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
Judy’s wishes were for her family and friends to celebrate her life on this earth and rejoice that she will no longer be in pain but will be in Heaven next to her husband Franky as well as visiting family and friends that have passed on before her. This celebration will be held at Russell C. Schmidt & Son Funeral Home Inc., 5000 Wattsburg Rd, corner of E. Gore Rd. and Pine Ave., on Thursday, June 23, 2022 from 2:00pm until a prayer service at 4:30pm conducted by Rev. Debra Rogosky. Burial will be private and at the convenience of the family. The funeral service will be live-streamed at https://www.facebook.com/events/2791813214448762/?ref=newsfeed
The family would like to thank Dr. Francis Foti, Dr. Michelle Tomczak, Dr. Daniel Olson, Dr. Robert Geiger and the staff at Saint Mary’s Home for the exemplary care and laughter that was provided while caring for her.
In lieu of flowers, Memorial contributions may be made to The Anna Shelter 1555 E 10th St, Erie, PA 16511 or Saint Mary’s Home of Erie 1781 West 26 Street, Erie, PA 16508.
Please visit www.SchmidtFuneralHomeErie.com to sign the Book of Memories.
Judy graduated in the last February class of 1952 from Academy High School and enjoyed many class reunions with her group of friends. During high school, she worked at G.C. Murphy’s and would spend her paychecks on outfits for her baby sister, Linda. Upon graduating high school, she was a Sunday School teacher at Henderson Methodist Church while she worked at General Telephone Company until she married. Judy was a member of the Siebenbuerger Club and Wesley United Methodist Church. She enjoyed going to the casino, her pet cats, eating out and playing bingo. Judy had an exceptional sense of humor and created much laughter for her family and at any event she attended.
Judy met the love of her life, Frank Hornyak, at a square dance. Her fiancé, Frank, was called to active duty in the Army and was stationed in Germany. After completing basic training, his tour had another 13 months to go so Judy decided to go to Germany and marry him. They traveled quite a bit in Germany and Austria. When they came home to Erie, PA in 1957, they brought the first of their four daughters, Lori, home with them at the age of 2 ½ months old. They settled in Southeast Erie for 62 years. They were blessed to have great neighbors that were also their friends.
In addition to her parents, Judy was preceded in death by her loving husband of 49 years, Francis and his parents, John and Elizabeth Hornyak, her brother David Nielsen and her sister and partner in crime that lived across the street, Diane (Butch) Barthelmes, two sons in law John Connelly and Richard McKinney, her brother and sister-in-law, John and Marilyn Hornyak.
Survivors include, four daughters, aka her Hungarian Jewels: Lori McKinney, Lisa Connelly, Leslie Hornyak (Mark Buchkovich) and Amy Erdely (fiancé Brian Pawlak). Three grandchildren Matthew (Cheryl) Kuffer and their children Victoria, Madison and Charlotte, Mark Connelly (John Carr), Kelsey and Joe Conde. Her sister and brother-in-law, Linda and Chuck Tillich, dear cousin Patty Heasley and husband Dick, dear friends Donna Bussard and Janet Pfister and many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
Judy’s wishes were for her family and friends to celebrate her life on this earth and rejoice that she will no longer be in pain but will be in Heaven next to her husband Franky as well as visiting family and friends that have passed on before her. This celebration will be held at Russell C. Schmidt & Son Funeral Home Inc., 5000 Wattsburg Rd, corner of E. Gore Rd. and Pine Ave., on Thursday, June 23, 2022 from 2:00pm until a prayer service at 4:30pm conducted by Rev. Debra Rogosky. Burial will be private and at the convenience of the family. The funeral service will be live-streamed at https://www.facebook.com/events/2791813214448762/?ref=newsfeed
The family would like to thank Dr. Francis Foti, Dr. Michelle Tomczak, Dr. Daniel Olson, Dr. Robert Geiger and the staff at Saint Mary’s Home for the exemplary care and laughter that was provided while caring for her.
In lieu of flowers, Memorial contributions may be made to The Anna Shelter 1555 E 10th St, Erie, PA 16511 or Saint Mary’s Home of Erie 1781 West 26 Street, Erie, PA 16508.
Please visit www.SchmidtFuneralHomeErie.com to sign the Book of Memories.