Ethel Veronica Raskovsky (née Zgainer), 98, of Sewickley, passed away on June 1, 2024, at home surrounded by her family. She was born on January 4, 1926, in Windsor Heights, WV.

Ethel was a first-generation American on her father’s side and a patriotic American proud of her Croatian ancestry. Her father’s work brought their family to Ambridge, PA, where Ethel and her four elder siblings were raised. She graduated with honors from Ambridge High School in 1944. She was introduced to her late husband Michael Raskovsky on a blind date by her future sister-in-law Mary Raskovsky Rusnak.  They were married six months later in 1947.

Ethel was passionate about bowling and did so weekly until her death.  She loved to travel and polka dance. She was an avid reader, and loved to watch and root for the Steelers, Penguins, and Pirates. She remained tremendously active throughout her life, and was known for her hard work, discipline, devout nature, and most of all her love of family. Even in the face of numerous personal tragedies and hardships, she always maintained a positive outlook.

She was a master seamstress, tailoring U.S. Army uniforms for income while her husband served on Active Duty. Ethel also worked in the tax inheritance office in Beaver County and later as a teller at Mellon Bank in Ambridge for 30 years. Post-retirement, she enjoyed working part-time at Shades and Such in Sewickley.

Ethel was a member of Divine Redeemer Catholic Church in Ambridge and later St. James Catholic Church in Sewickley. She is survived by her daughter Eileen Ryan, son Michael Raskovsky (Reba), daughter Amy Vaccaro (Andrew); nine grandchildren, Rick Killmeyer (Lizann), Olivia Raskovsky, Keaton Raskovsky, Gillian Braiman (Jared), Caroline Peters, Thomas Vaccaro, and Rocco Vaccaro; and two great-grandchildren, Declan and Maeve Killmeyer, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to her late husband, Michael Raskovsky, Ethel was preceded in death by her father Anton Zgainer, mother Katherine Rozic, sisters Mary Choich, Frances Semega, and Josephine Spolarich Matzie; brother Anthony Zgainer, and her beloved companion of 15 years, Jim Cordan.

Friends and relatives are invited to celebrate Ethel’s life on Tuesday, June 4, 2024, at a visitation from 2:00 pm-4:00 pm and 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm on at John Syka Funeral Home, 833 Kennedy Dr, Ambridge, PA 15003.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on June 5, 2024, at 10:30 am at Divine Redeemer Parish, St. Mary’s, 444 Glenfield Road, Sewickley, PA.

Ethel Veronica Raskovsky will be dearly missed by her family and friends. The world will be a little less bright without her smile.  May she rest in peace.