Sonya Pishtey Perich

The beloved handmaiden of God Sonya Perich, peacefully fell asleep in the Lord on Sunday Morning, September 24, 2017.

Born on November 18, 1929 in Terryville, Connecticut, Sonya was the daughter of the late Rt. Rev. Protopresbyter Joseph J. and Matuska Susanna Pishtey. Sonya's father was the first chancellor of the Orthodox Church in America and the former pastor of Saints Cyril & Methodius Orthodox Church (Terryville, CT), St. Michael's Orthodox Church (Old Forge, PA), All Saints Orthodox Church (Olyphant, PA) and Holy Trinity Orthodox Church (Yonkers, NY). Widow of the late John Perich Sr., Sonya met and married her beloved husband in Yonkers, NY.

Sonya was a graduate of a business college in NY City and also perused many years of study in Opera under the tutelage of Madame Marguerite von Eichenwald of the Bolshoi Opera. Sonya was a Coloratura Soprano and performed in Carnegie Hall and numerous other venues throughout the East Coast accompanied by the Metropolitan Male Chorus, the Russian Liturgical Choir and several others ensembles.

Since 1955 she was employed as the Executive Manager of the Traveler's Insurance Company of New York until her retirement in 1993. After many years of residing in Yonkers, NY, she and her husband relocated to Media, Pennsylvania where her son is the pastor of St Herman of Alaska Orthodox Church in Glen Mills Pennsylvania. She spent the last few years of her life in a senior living facility in Glen Mills.

Sonya was the mother of Susan Pasqualone and V. Rev. John J. and Matuska Eugenia Perich; Grandmother of Chrysa, Taisia and Alixandra; great-grandmother of Joseph, Emilie, Joseph and Kira. Sonya is also survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Sonya was a devout Orthodox Christian and was best known for her beautiful melodic soprano during services. She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother as well as great grandmother to all throughout her rich and full life. May her memory be eternal!

Relatives and friends are invited to her Visitation on Wednesday, Sept. 27th, 4 to 6:30 PM at St. Herman of Alaska Orthodox Church, 1855 Middletown Rd. Glen Mills, PA 19342. Funeral Service (Otpevanniye) at 6:30 PM immediately followed by Pomenki (Repass) in the Church Memorial Hall. On Thursday, Sept. 28th, a Panikhida (Memorial Service) will be served at Noon at St. Tikhon of Zadonsk Monastery Church, 175 S. Tikhons Rd., South Cannon, PA 18472. Interment to follow. Pomenki (Repass) will be held at St Michael's Orthodox Church Hall, 403 Delaware St, Jermyn, PA 18433.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the Sonya Perich Memorial Fund, c/o St. Herman of Alaska Orthodox Church, PO Box 231, Gradyville, PA 19039.