Poland - Mary Pacura Duecaster, 90, died Thursday, July 19, 2012 at her home.
Mary was born September 21, 1921, in Hubbard, a daughter of George and Agatha Pacura, whom immigrated to the United States from Romania.
Mary was one of seven children who all attended and graduated from Hubbard or Scienceville High School.
Mary married Robert G. Duecaster on October 6, 1942 and after the war had two children, Dinah and Robert. Mary worked in a furniture store and then with the Youngstown Public School System as a school secretary for over twenty years. She then began a modeling career with department stores in Youngstown, Pittsburgh, and Cleveland and was featured as mother and grandmother of the bride in bridal magazines. After training as a court reporter, she served as a court reporter in the Youngstown area. After retirement, Mary and her husband started a crafts business and participated in the Shaker Woods Festival and other craft shows in the area. Mary was known in her community as a helper who grew her own garden, canned her own food, and cooked daily.
Her husband, Robert, died February 17, 2003.
Mary leaves her two children. Her daughter, Dinah Duecaster Hopper graduated from Poland Seminary High School, B.S. from Ohio State, and RDH from University of Louisville. Dinah practices dental hygiene in Danville, KY where she resides. Dinah's children include Joshua James Hopper, age 24, who graduated from the Merchant Marine Academy in 2010 and Hector Hopper, age 16, who was adopted from Guatemala and attends high school in Danville. Mary's son, Robert Duecaster, graduated from Poland Seminary High School, Ohio State University, and from Capital University Law School and practices law in Northern Virginia. Mary also leaves her grandchildren, Aaron, age 18, Shaina, age 23, who is a graduate of William and Mary, and Rachel, age 26, of Charlotte, North Carolina. Mary also leaves her brother, Victor Pacura of New Middletown; and several nieces and nephews, including, niece and caregiver, Marianne Sincek of Mercer, PA.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her sister, Anna Toda; and brothers, Joseph, Nick, John, and Dan Pacura.
A memorial services will be held Tuesday at 4 p.m. at the Cunningham-Becker Funeral Home in Poland, where family and friends will be received one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at Lake Park Cemetery.
The family requests that memorial tributes take the form of contributions to a charitable cause in lieu of flowers.
Please visit
www.beckerobits.com
. to send condolences.