Pearl “Paraskevya” (Jula) Petkash, 88, passed away peacefully on June 17th, 2026. She was born on November 2nd, 1937, the daughter of the late Helen (Rusinko) and Nestor Jula of Fair Oaks.
She was the devoted wife of her late husband, Donald Eugene Petkash and the loving mother of Dawna (the late Gregory) Beckett, Karen (James) Larrimer, and the late Michael (Maria) Petkash. She took amazing and dedicated care of her mother Helen, until she passed at the age of 101. She was also was preceded in death by her husband by her son-in-law, Gregory, and her husband’s parents, Olga and Mike Petkash. She was the youngest of twelve children. Her six brothers and seven sisters and each of their spouses preceded her in death. She is survived by her six grandchildren who she deeply loved: Christopher and Michael Beckett, Ryan (Roxie) Smart, Allison, Derek and Hayley Larrimer, two beautiful great grandchildren, Landon and Cecilia Smart, her two sister-in-laws, Ruth (Tom) Koloski and Elaine (Danny) Smith and many nieces and nephews and friends.
Pearl was a life-long active member of the Holy Ghost Russian Orthodox Church in Ambridge. She was a woman of strong faith. She was a caring and giving person who always put the needs of her family before her own. She faced every challenge in life with courage and dignity, including her over 20 months under hospice care where she had such a will to keep living. She was a source of inspiration those who knew her and she will be deeply missed by everyone whose lives she touched. She graduated from Leetsdale High School and from Earl Wheeler Finishing School. After marrying her husband, they moved to Sunland, California and then eventually moved back “home” to Fair Oaks, where they lived for many years before moving to Economy Borough. She also enjoyed many years of going with the family to her cottage at Pymatuning Lake. She worked at the Watson Home School, American Bridge Company, Rocketdyne, and H.H. Robertson. Her most loved job, outside of caring for her family, was as a successful Avon Representative for 28 Years. She loved her customers and prided herself on being in the Presidents Club for many years.
Her family is grateful to Susan, a special private care aid, who cared for Pearl’s needs, that grew over time through 15 years as well as importantly to Jill and Carla, both personal aides who cared deeply for Pearl and helped the family immensely over the past year and a half. Her family is also grateful to the Bethany Hospice caregivers, especially Maddie and Chris, and to the caregivers at The Province of Wexford, we are so thankful. They would also like to thank Fr. Bill Evansky, who visited and prayed with Pearl regularly throughout the years she was unable to be in church in person.
A visitation will be held on Friday, June 19th from 10 A.M. until the time of a funeral Service at 11 A.M. in the Holy Ghost Russian Orthodox Church, 210 Maplewood Avenue, Ambridge, PA 15003. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Holy Ghost Orthodox Church in Ambridge or to Bethany Hospice, 400 Holiday Drive #101, Pittsburgh.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the John Syka Funeral Home, Inc., 833 Kennedy Drive, Ambridge.