Grace ‘Gay’ E. Wollitz Prokop 1934-2024

Born May 9, 1934, she was the daughter of the late Charles and Margaret Wollitz. Gay grew up in Youngstown. She was a 1952 graduate of Ursuline High School and a 1956 graduate of Youngstown State University, where she made friends who lasted a lifetime. Gay was a member of Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority, where she served as secretary and was a member of the 1956 YSU Homecoming Court.

After graduating from Youngstown State University, Gay taught elementary school at St. Charles, St. Columba, and St. Dominic Catholic schools, as well as preschool at St. James Episcopal Church, before becoming a stay-at-home mother.

While at YSU, Gay met the love of her life, Gilbert E. Prokop Sr. They were married Jan. 4, 1958, at St. Dominic Church, and had five wonderful children. Though her beloved Gil passed away Sunday, Feb. 24, 2008, their love remains eternal.

A dedicated fixture at St. Dominic’s daily Mass, she truly loved St. Dom’s and her parish family. A devout Catholic, Gay was often seen praying the rosary and carried one with her anywhere she went.

Gay was a fantastic cook who loved making the family’s traditional Slovak meals. She took great pride in teaching her children and grandchildren how to make her timeless recipes. That precious gift will carry on for generations to come. The door at the Prokop house was always open during dinner, as Gay always made enough extra food for unexpected guests to join her family for any meal she prepared.

A talented and gifted seamstress, Gay often helped with adjustments to dresses, clothing and the occasional emergency repair of athletic uniforms for her children and her husband’s sports teams. Her hand-sewn holiday ornaments were sold in boutiques throughout Boardman and Youngstown and were not just for Christmas, as she especially loved her St. Patrick’s Day and patriotic creations. She also made homemade dolls at Christmastime as gifts for friends and family, as well as for those less fortunate, so their children would still receive a Christmas present. Many generations of loved ones are still enjoying her beautiful creations today, including her family who proudly display her ornaments on their trees each year. Everything Gay made was with pride and love.

Finally, Gay was an avid sports fan. She loved watching any sports her children and grandchildren played, as well as college and pro teams. If Gay was home, there was always a game of some sort on television in the background.

Gay was preceded in death by her mother, Margaret Wollitz; her father, Charles Wollitz Sr.; brother, Charles Wollitz Jr. (whose birthday she passed away on), husband, Gilbert Prokop Sr.; and sons, Jeffery and Michael Prokop.

She is survived by her only daughter, Colleen Prokop Kelty and son-in-law, Robert of Boardman; son, Gilbert Prokop Jr. and daughter-in-law, Jayme Yerger Prokop of Camp Hill, Pa.; and son, Patrick Prokop and daughter-in-law, Michele Vari Prokop of Boardman.

She will be deeply missed by her grandchildren, whom she treasured to the ends of the earth, Connor Kelty; Caroline, Bella and Julianna Prokop; and Emma Prokop; as well as great-grandson, Parker Swaboda. Her eyes lit up whenever any of them came to visit and she made sure their bellies were filled with her homemade cookies. Gay is also survived by several loving nieces, nephews and cousins; as well as many loyal friends she loved so dearly.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Ricciardi, for his many dedicated years of wonderful medical care he provided “Mom” both as a longtime patient of his office, as well as when she became a resident at Masternick Memorial, New Middletown. A heartfelt thank you also goes to the entire staff of Masternick Memorial for their amazing abundance of compassion and spirituality; not just towards Gay but also toward everyone who visited her there.

God Bless all of you.

Calling hours will be held 4 to 6 p.m. Monday, April 1, 2024, at Higgins-Reardon Funeral Homes, Boardman-Canfield Chapel, 3701 Starr Centre Drive. A prayer service will be held at 9:15 a.m. Tuesday, April 2, 2024, at the funeral home, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m., at St. Dominic Roman Catholic Church, Youngstown.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Dominic Roman Catholic Parish, 77 E. Lucius Ave., Youngstown, OH 44507. Please indicate “In Memory of Grace Prokop” with your offering.

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