Margaret Puhalla 1930-2026

She was born Jan. 30, 1930, in Youngstown, to the late John S. Medvec and Julia S. Dzuroff-Medvec.

Enjoying her early childhood on the West Side, she would later graduate from Chaney High School in 1947.

Marge then began her career working proudly for McKelvey’s Department Store as an elevator girl. This beautiful young girl caught the eye of every guy who rode with her. After some time, she would eventually advance to the payroll department and later moved on to J&L Steel, also working in the payroll department.

Marge found the love of her life, the handsome and athletic Leonard M. Puhalla, getting married on June 8, 1957, at Holy Name of Jesus Church. Enjoying 57 loving years together and having four sons, always being known as the couple with the four boys wherever they went. Loving to travel, Leonard and Marge would jump in the car with the family each summer and travel the countryside, especially enjoying their own cherished vacation to Hawaii together the most.

She will be remembered as a homemaker who loved and dedicated her adult life to raising and caring for her family, always placing them before herself.

Her traditional Slovak mushroom soup on Christmas Eve was unmatched. The secret to her longevity was a little bit of melted ice cream before going to bed. Though we grieve today, we celebrate all that she was and accomplished throughout her beautiful life with us. Enjoying and remembering all the good times and many laughs we all shared together as one big loving family. Thank you, Mom. Now go dance a polka with Dad in heaven.

Margaret is survived by her sons, David (Christine), Leonard G. (Anna), Brian and Dennis; six grandchildren, Airic (Taryn), Eythan, Kaelyn, Gerry, Joe and Greta; and one special ray of sunshine, her great-granddaughter, Milena Rose, whom she loved dearly.

Preceding Margaret in death were her parents; her loving husband, Leonard M. Puhalla; sisters, Mary (Joe) Ress and Sophie (Tim) Motosko; and brother, John (Eleanor) Medvec.

Family and friends will be received 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, June 21, at Vaschak-Kirila Funeral Home in Youngstown, and 10 to 10:30 a.m. Monday, June 22, at the funeral home, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. at St. Christine Church in Youngstown.

Margaret will be laid to rest in Calvary Cemetery next to her beloved husband.

Arrangements were entrusted to Vaschak-Kirila Funeral Home.

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