Margaret L. Yanek 1933-2025

Born Aug. 4, 1933, in Youngstown, she is the daughter of the late Lawrence and Bettie Nicklin Kennedy.

Margaret grew up on the East Side of Youngstown and always loved to reminisce about the many characters and shenanigans that filled her younger years with joy. She was a proud graduate of Ursuline High School, Class of 1951, where she forged lifelong friendships.

She worked for a short time before marrying her true love and devoting her life to raising her children, nurturing her home and creating a warm, loving environment filled with music and laughter. Her love extended beyond her family, as she cherished the bonds formed with anyone she shared a story and a laugh with.

A reflection of her Irish heritage, “Peggy” was proud of her roots and embraced the traditions that shaped her. She loved celebrations of any kind, most importantly, she treasured the moments spent with family and friends at their beloved family homestead at Keystone Avenue, where everyone was welcome and there was always a cake in the oven. Later in life, “Gammy’s” greatest joy was found in spending time with beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren to whom she passed on all of her goodness.

Margaret is survived by her beloved children, Steve (Edie) of Boiling Springs, Pa., and Mary Beth of Poland, with whom she made her home; grandchildren, Jessica (Salvatore) Maiorana, Emily Patton, Johnny Stride and Matt Stride; great-grandchildren, Stephanie Patton, J.D. Patton, Lorenzo Maiorana and Santino Maiorana; her brothers, John (Bernadette) Kennedy and Fulton (Colleen) Kennedy; a sister-in-law, Bobbie Kennedy; and many nieces and nephews. She also leaves behind a cousin, Mary Burkey, and special friend, Christie Gillern, whose visits brought great joy to Peggy in the last year.

Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Steve J. Yanek, whom she married Aug. 8, 1953, and who passed away Jan. 11, 2014; and three brothers, Robert “Bob” Kennedy, James Kennedy and Larry (Mary Lou) Kennedy.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, at St. Angela Merici Parish.

Calling hours will be 9 to 10:15 a.m. Friday at the Higgins-Reardon Funeral Homes, Poland Chapel, allowing those who loved her to pay their respects and share their memories.

Peggy’s family would like to give a special thanks to the staff of Briarfield Place who treated her with great dignity and compassion and gave her the gift of laughter every day.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, www.stjude.org.

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