Margaret (Hanak) Blehi

BLEHI - Margaret (Hanak), 92, of Charlotte, formerly of Johnstown, died Saturday, February 15, 2025, at home peacefully.  Born June 24, 1932, in Johnstown PA, daughter of Michael and Anna (Balo) Hanak.

Margaret married a career military man and she embraced the military lifestyle. She retired from Modern Woodmen Insurance Company.  Margaret enjoyed teaching citizenship at the JFK Special Warfare Center at Fort Bragg, NC.   She was proud of her Lemkos heritage and never met a stranger.  She lovingly welcomed everyone of every nationality.  Her thirst for knowledge was fueled by her love of reading.  She loved to sing and dance; even in her wheelchair.  At 92, with a twinkle in her eye she still got excited to see it snow.  A Steelers fan, she tried to never miss a game.  Committed to her Orthodox faith, she was blessed with a life filled with many angels here on earth. She was loved by many and will be missed. 

Margaret was a lifelong member of Christ the Saviour Orthodox Cathedral, the Cathedral parish of the American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese shepherded by His Eminence Metropolitan Gregory of Nyssa and Protopresbyter Robert Buczak.

Margaret is survived by her daughters, Patti (Blehi) Smith of Pittsboro, NC and Pauline Blehi of Charlotte, NC; beloved sister, Dorothy (Irene) Bayconish, of River Vale, NJ; sister-in-law, Mary (Mamie Chappie) Hanak of Johnstown PA; nieces, Joyce Hanak Rogina and Theresa (Maurizio) Pollochak of Johnstown, PA, Kathy Bayconish of River Vale NJ, Joann Hanak of Fort Myers, FL, Lori (Hanak) Smith and her husband, Michael of Oak Lawn, IL; nephews, Scott Hanak and Donald Hanak of Johnstown, PA, Jim Hanak and his wife, Janice Gellert of Gainesville, FL, David Hanak of Phoenix, AZ; and as well as other nieces and nephews. 

Preceded in death by her husband, William Blehi; her parents; brothers, John and his wife, Mary of Fort Myers, FL, Andy and his wife, Mary (Jelenic) of Chicago, IL; sisters, Anna Pollochak, Mary Hanak and Helen Jackman; nephews, Bobby Pollock and Michael Hanak; nieces, Barbara (Pollochak) Witprachtiger and Karen Bayconish and brothers and sisters-in-law, George, Joe, Bill and his wife, Alberta (Guizio) and Michael all of Johnstown PA.

Funeral services for Margaret will be held at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, at Christ the Saviour Orthodox Cathedral.  The family will receive friends beginning at 9:00 AM until the time of the service.  Interment will follow in the Cathedral cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be offered in memory of Margaret to Christ the Saviour Orthodox Cathedral, 300 Garfield Street, Johnstown, PA 15906.

May Her Memory Be Eternal. 

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606 and Francis G. Ozog Funeral Home, 710 Broad Street, Johnstown, PA 15906.  Online condolences may be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com or www.fgozogfuneralhome.com.

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