Helen Shipka

It is with profound sadness that the family of Helen Mural Shipka announce her peaceful passing on Saturday, February 26th, 2022 at the age of 98 years old.

She was born to Frank and Katherine Mural on January 2, 1924. After graduating from Rhodes High School in Cleveland, Ohio, Helen went on to graduate from Dennison University in Granville, Ohio with an Economics
Degree. While in New York at a Ukrainian convention, Helen met her future husband, Walter Shipka, just as she was departing to chase her dreams to travel abroad throughout Europe. Upon returning from Europe, Helen went to work for Mural & Son, Inc., the business her father and brother had built, and later married Walter Shipka on October 31, 1953 in Cleveland, Ohio. They had three daughters, Kathy (Shipka) Rotundo, Susan (Shipka) Tharp, and Doria Shipka.

Helen worked in tandem with her husband, Walter Shipka, as they built successful businesses together over the years, notably Shipka Travel Agency in Parma, Ohio. She had an incredible life with Walter as she traveled the world, riding camels in Egypt, walking the Great Wall of China, as well as escorting large tour groups of fellow Ukrainians to Ukraine. Helen stood by her husband through all of their adventures; politics, learning to be second mate on the boat, and even moving from Parma to Florida to create a new home.

Helen loved people. She was outgoing, always eager to see and meet friends, both old and new while smiling her big beautiful smile often. She was a member of the Ukrainian Junior Women’s League; UKITS (Ukrainians Keeping In Touch); Kashtan, a member and president of LOVS (Ladies of Venice Shrine); and life long member of St. Josophat’s Ukrainian Catholic Church.

Helen was predeceased by her beloved immediate family Frank and Katherine Mural (parents), William Mural (brother) and later, husband, Walter Shipka. Helen is survived by daughters Kathy Rotundo, Susan Tharp, Gary Tharp (Son-in-Law} and Doria Shipka; Grandchildren Anastasia Rotundo, Vito Rotundo, Dan Dykes, Amanda Neumann, Derek Dykes, Hyacinth Porter, Lilleith Porter, Althea Porter; Great-grandchildren Autumn and Joe Cohara, and Kaitlyn and Addison Neumann.

Family and friends are invited to a visitation on Monday, March 7th, 2022 from 4 PM – 8 PM at Kolodiy-Lazuta Funeral Home 5677 State Rd. Parma, OH 44134 Parastas 7 PM. Funeral Service will take place on Tuesday, March 8th, 2022 at 10 AM at St. Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral (Please Meet at Cathedral). Interment St. Andrew Cemetery.