Monica Yurak 1935-2025
HUDSON — Monica Ferenchak Yurak, 90, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, on her half-birthday. Ever the life of the party, in the two weeks prior to her hospitalization, Monica vacationed with family, attended a baseball game for one of her 10 great-grandchildren, won four raffle baskets at a charity event and attended a family wedding.
Born with main character energy, Monica entered the world April 14, 1935, in Youngstown, the oldest of four siblings to the late Stephen and Agnes Ferenchak.
A social butterfly from the start, Monica began building a lifetime of friendships at St. Matthias and later, Woodrow Wilson High School. In a meet-cute right out of a movie she’d love, she caught the eye of James Yurak at a dance lesson the football team was required to attend. The future head cheerleader and football captain started their happily ever after on July 14, 1956; and their 70-year love story included chapters at Colgate University in Dearborn, Michigan, Trumbull, Connecticut and Hudson.
While sometimes being prodded “to go read your book” or failing to convince a daughter to take time off school to shop, Monica guided her four children and then 10 grandchildren to chart their own narratives. Never a huge fan of cooking or housework, Monica had a passion for many activities that helped to build her social circle wherever she lived — book clubs, tennis and bridge were standards on her calendar in each new setting. Monica devoured theater, movie and book reviews, and loved a quick trip to New York to immerse herself in favorite museums and shows, often with children or grandchildren in tow. Much of her international travel involved learning about and supporting local art. Her years as a docent at the Akron Art Museum and adding to her personal collections engaged many visitors over the years.
A lifelong fan of the mystery genre, Monica was forever asking big questions. She reveled in deep conversations about religion, politics, art or life choices, whether you were next to her in a line or had known her for years. Her hard-hitting queries were often launched arm-in-arm with a characteristic Monica squeeze, which made everyone feel immediately included in her world.
She loved to get lost in a story, often debating which characters from the latest novel, binged TV show or late-night movie would be invited to her dinner party. She tuned in to the Olympics or Wimbledon as much for the athlete spotlights as the final score.
Monica leaves this world a little quieter — her vivacious, adventurous and curious self to the very end. Her family and friends will greatly miss her shouted greetings, unedited commentary long past bedtime and fierce love and support.
The Mass will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 29 at St. Mary Church in Hudson, with a gathering to follow.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Akron Art Museum.
Monica’s story continues on in her children, Kathleen (John) Polley, Christine (William) Briner,
Karen Yurak and James (Johanna) Yurak; grandchildren, Caitlin (Donald) Lassus, Meredith (Ross) McNamara, Jonathan (Katie) Polley, Alexander (Vanessa) Polley, Jillian (Brandon) Rowe, Silas, Samuel, Charles and Matthew Yurak; her great-grandchildren; as well as friends and family near and far.
(special notice)