Emmy Kurlander Culyba, 94, of her adopted home in Donora, passed on to the lord on Wednesday, April 27, 2022. Emmy was born and raised in Budapest, Hungary, where she experienced firsthand the terrible horrors of World War II. She became strong, and at 18 years old met her late husband, U.S. Army Sgt. John D. Culyba Sr. After the war, she came to Donora with her husband, whom she was married to for 71 years, and became a naturalized citizen. She was truly proud all of her adult life to be in the United States. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, Bernard and Veronica Kurlander; and a sister, Elsie Janosi. Emmy was a vivacious person who had a heart of gold. She was a loving mother to three children, Shirley Culyba of Latrobe, John Culyba Jr. of Belle Vernon and Tom (Sue) Culyba of Monongahela; loving grandmother to Jessica (Erich) Bucher, Christina (Josh) Whitmer, Kimberly, Nicholas and Alexander Culyba; and a loving great-grandmother to Emmy, Evelyn and Christopher Whitmer and Elora Bucher. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews in the United States and Europe. Arrangements have been entrusted to ANTHONY L. MASSAFRA FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATION SERVICE INC., 40 Second St. Ext., Carroll Township/Donora, PA 15033, 724-379-6900, where the family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday, May 1, 2022. Prayers will be recited in the funeral home at 9:30 a.m. Monday, May 2, 2022, followed by a 10 a.m. funeral liturgy at St. Michael Byzantine Catholic Church with the Rev. Father Stephen Wahal officiating. Interment will follow at St. Michael Cemetery, Donora. To share a condolence please visit www.massafrafuneralhome.com.
