Carmelita Yukevich
Carmelita Yukevich passed away at 1:57 a.m. Sunday, October 23, 2022, surrounded by her loving family.
Independent. Intelligent. Classy. Community minded. Creative. One of a kind. These words all describe Carmie Yukevich, but the word that describes her best is strong. Carmie possessed an inner strength throughout her entire life and until her last breath.
She was born June 30, 1930, in Salem, W.Va., a daughter of the late Dorcie Gaines and Ruby Nutter Gaines. Carmelita was raised in Eldersville, and was a graduate of Union High School.
On November 27, 1948, she married Vincent William “Sonny” Yukevich Jr. Carmie and Sonny worked at the family business, Yukevich Motor Sales, for 29 years. They enjoyed vacationing in Hawaii and Las Vegas.
Carmie and Sonny had three children, Dorcia, Rinda and Vincent.
On February 6, 1977, Sonny passed away. Her grandchildren asked her many years later why she never dated again to which she replied, “There was no point. I married my soul mate the first time.”
Although widowed at a young age, Carmie did not let it stop her from living life to the fullest. She continued to work as a bookkeeper at several businesses and was the bookkeeper for Christmas in the Village and the Jefferson Township Volunteer Fire Department’s Women’s Auxiliary. She was a member of both organizations. Carmie also belonged to TOPS in Hooverson Heights, W.Va.
Carmie continued to travel all over the country and took many trips to visit her son in Virginia. In May of 2019, Carmie went on her last trip to Las Vegas with her daughter, Rinda and granddaughter, Renee. She gambled all day and all night and shopped in all the stores.
Carmie was an accomplished seamstress and quilter. She enjoyed spending time in her sewing room, sitting on her front porch (keeping an eye on the neighborhood) and many years spent sitting by her pool in the backyard. Carmie loved spoiling her two cats, Pia and Meeshu. Her grandchildren will always remember days spent swimming in the pool, eating fresh cut fruit salad, watching movies late into the night and drinking Coca Cola from fancy cocktail glasses. They will also remember how special she made Christmas Eve. The entire family would meet at her very decorated home and celebrate at the “Salami Buffet”. Christmas Eve dinner was dubbed “Salami Buffet” because Carmie did not believe in cooking big dinners but rather her Christmas Eve dinner was all appetizers and finger foods! Christmas Eve will never be the same. Carmie also made everyone their own personalized ornament every year, which are now proudly displayed on everyone’s Christmas Trees.
On September 25, 2002, Carmie’s son, Vincent William Yukevich III, passed away after a lengthy illness. Carmie traveled every other week to his home in Virginia to help care for him for months before his death. She stood by his grave and grieved silently. She continued on with her life enjoying every day. That is strength.
On March 26, 2018, Carmie’s daughter, DorciaRyan, passed away after a valiant, but brief battle with pancreatic cancer. Carmie was by her side when she drew her last breath. Again, she continued on with her life, never feeling sorry for herself. That is strength.
On October 5, 2019, Carmie’s granddaughter, Dr. Raine’ Riggs, passed away from neuroendocrine cancer.
On November 19, 2019, Carmie’s son-in-law and handyman, Richard Riggs, passed away from renal failure. When Carmie had knee replacement surgery in 2018, Richard would take her a bacon cheeseburger every day for dinner at the hospital.
On January 4, 2022, Carmie suffered her last loss when her son-in-law, Randolph Ryan, passed away from pneumonia. Prior to Randy’s death he visited Carmie every day and always made sure to take her her favorite breakfast sandwich. Randy also mowed her lawn and would spend hours sitting on the porch with her visiting.
In February of 2022, Carmie’s Alzheimers became too severe for her to live at home any longer. Carmie spent the last few months of her life at Wyngate Assisted Living, where she had the best staff caring for her. She quickly became a favorite of all who worked there. Her daughter, Rinda faithfully visited every day at Wyngate just as she had visited her everyday while she lived at home. Rinda made sure to take her favorite snack of Oreo cookies and diet Pepsi. Carmie’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren also visited with her frequently. Carmie will be missed by all who knew her. She was truly one of a kind.
Carmie is survived by her devoted daughter, Rinda Riggs of Avella; her granddaughters, Kristen Yukevich of South Park, and Renee Riggs and husband Peter Jaskiewicz of Taylorstown; grandsons, Nolan Ryan (Rebecca) of New Cumberland, W.Va., and Eric Ryan (Christina) of Burgettstown; her great-grandchildren, Austin Ryan, Meghan Sparks, Sunnee Riggs Sanders, Ryleigh Riggs Sanders and Grayson Riggs Sanders; along with several nieces and nephews.
Carmie was preceded in death by her husband, Sonny Yukevich; her brother, Keith Gaines and wife Margaret; her son, Vincent Yukevich; her daughter, Dorcia Ryan; her sons-in-law, Richard Riggs and Randolph Ryan; and her granddaughter, Dr Raine’ Riggs.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Lee and Martin Funeral Home, 73 Highland Avenue, Burgettstown, PA 15021.
All services are private and held at the convenience of the family.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to a charity of one’s choice. They hope that everyone tries to enjoy life to the fullest the same way that Carmie did.