Philomena (Byra) Korycki died peacefully Friday, July 19, 2013 surrounded by her family at the Merrimack Valley Hospice House in Haverhill, MA. She was 96.
Born in Lawrence on June 23, 1917, she was the only child of Martin and Katherine (Ramocki) Byra.
She graduated from Lawrence High School in 1935 and the McIntosh Business School. She married Frank Korycki in 1943 and would have celebrated 70 years of marriage on August 1, 2013.
Her work experiences in Lawrence included administrative and accounting positions with Pacific Mill, Malden Mills, and Royal Globe Insurance. She also worked in the circulation department of the Lawrence Eagle Tribune. She was an active member of the community through the local Parent Teacher Organizations, as a Girl Scout Troop leader, a counselor at Camp Merrymeeting in Andover, MA, and as a volunteer with the American Red Cross blood drives. She was a member of the St. Patrick's Ladies Sodality for over 50 years. Philomena and Frank enjoyed traveling and spent over 25 winters in the Florida sunshine.
She is survived by her husband Frank Korycki; daughters Katherine Lacharite of Windham, NH and Frances Dionne of North Andover, MA. Five grandchildren: Kristen Cooley and her husband David of Spring, TX; Gretchen Sallah and her husband John of Harrisonburg, VA; Jeffrey Dionne of North Andover, MA; Kyle Dionne and his wife Tara of Fairfield, CT; Lindsey Dionne and her fiancé Anthony Sallese of North Andover, MA. She is survived by six great grandchildren: Sophia, Cooper, Sarah, Jolie, Evan and Cole.
Funeral mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, July 24, 2013 at 11 AM at St. Patrick's Church in Lawrence.
A burial will follow in the Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in North Andover.
Friends may call on Wednesday, July 24, 2013 from 9 AM to 10:30 AM at the John Breen Memorial Funeral Home Inc. 35 Merrimack St. N., Andover, MA.
More information please go online to www.breen funeral home.com.
The family would like to thank Elder Services of Merrimack Valley, Home Health Visiting Nurses Association and Merrimack Valley Hospice House for providing the assistance and care that allowed Philomena to remain at home where she enjoyed playing solitaire on her computer.
Donations in Philomena's memory may be made to Cor Unum Meal Center 118 South Broadway Lawrence, MA 01843 or Merrimack Valley Hospice 360 Merrimack Street Bldg 9 Lawrence MA 01843.