Carmelita Yukevich

Independent. Intelligent. Classy. Community minded.  Creative. One of a kind. These words all describe Carmie Yukevich, but the word that describes her best is strong.  Carmie possessed an inner strength through out her entire life and until her last breath.  Carmie passed away October 23, 2022 at 1:57am surrounded by her loving family.  

Carmelita Yukevich was born June 30, 1930 in Salem, WV the daughter of the late Dorcie Gaines and Ruby Nutter Gaines.  Carmelita Yukevich was raised in Eldersville, Pa and was a graduate of Union High School.  On November 27, 1948 she married Vincent William Yukevich Jr.  Carmie and Sonny ( Vincent William Yukevich) worked at the family business Yukevich Motor Sales for 29 years.  Carmie and Sonny enjoyed vacationing in Hawaii and Las Vegas. They had 3 children:  Dorcia, Rinda and Vincent.   On February 6, 1977 Sonny passed away.  Her grandchildren asked her many years later why she never dated again to which she replied “ There was no point.  I married my soul mate the first time.”  Although widowed at a young age, Carmie did not let it stop her from living life to the fullest.   She continued to work as a bookkeeper at several business and was the bookkeeper for Christmas in the Village and the Jefferson Township Volunteer Fire Dept Women’s Auxillary.  She was a member of both organizations.  Carmie also belonged to TOPS in Hooverson Heights WV.  Carmiecontinued to travel all over the country and took many trips to visit her son in Virginia.  In May of 2019, Carmie went on her last trip to Las Vegas with her daughter Rinda and granddaughter Renee.  She gambled all day and all night and shopped in all the stores.    Carmie was an accomplished seamstress and quilter.  She enjoyed spending time in her sowing room, sitting on her front porch (keeping an eye on the neighborhood) and many years spent sitting by her pool in the back yard.  Carmie loved spoiling her two cats, Pia and Meeshu.  Her grandchildren will always remember days spent swimming in the pool, eating fresh cut fruit salad, watching movies late into the night and drinking Coca Cola from fancy cocktail glasses.  They will also remember how special she made Christmas Eve.  The entire family would meet at her very decorated home and celebrate at the “Salami Buffet”.  Christmas Eve dinner was dubbed “Salami Buffet” because Carmie did not believe in cooking big dinners but rather her Christmas Eve dinner was all appetizers and finger foods!  Christmas Eve will never be the same.  Carmie also made everyone their own personalized ornament every year which are now proudly displayed on everyone’s Christmas Trees.  

On September 25, 2002 Carmie’s son Vincent William YukevichIII passed away after a lengthy illness.  Carmie traveled every other week to his home in Virginia to help care for him for months before his death.  She stood by his grave and grieved silently.  She continued on with her life enjoying every day.  That is strength.  On March 26, 2018 Carmie’s daughter DorciaRyan passed away after a valiant but brief battle with pancreatic cancer.  Carmie was by her side when she drew her last breath.  Again, she continued on with her life, never feeling sorry for herself.  That is strength.  On October 5, 2019 Carmie’sgranddaughter Dr. Raine’ Riggs passed away from neuroendocrine cancer.  On November 19, 2019 Carmie’s son in-law and handyman Richard Riggs passed away from renal failure.  When Carmie had knee replacement surgery 2018 Richard would take her a bacon cheeseburger every day for dinner at the hospital.  On January 4, 2022 Carmie suffered her last loss when her son in law Randolph Ryan passed away from pneumonia.  Prior to Randy’s death he visited Carmie every day and always made sure to take her her favorite breakfast sandwich.  Randy also mowed her lawn and would spend hours sitting on the porch with her visiting. In February of 2022, Carmie’s alzheimers became too severe for her to live at home any longer.   Carmie spent the last few months of her life at Wyngate Assisted Living where she had the best staff caring for.  She quickly became a favorite of all who worked there.  Her daughter Rinda faithfully visited every day at Wyngate just as she had visited her everyday while she lived at home.  Rindamade sure to take her favorite snack of oreo cookies and diet pepsi.  Carmie’s grandchildren and great grandchildren also visited with her frequently.   Carmie will be missed by all who knew her.  She was truly one of a kind. 

Carmie is survived by her devoted daughter Rinda Riggs of Avella Pa, her granddaughters Kristen Yukevich of South Park, Pa  and Renee Riggs and her husband Peter Jaskiewicz of Taylorstown, Pa, grandsons Nolan Ryan (Rebecca) of New Cumberland WV and Eric Ryan (Christina) of Burgettstown, Pa;  her great grandchildren Austin Ryan, Meghan Sparks, Sunnee Riggs Sanders, Ryleigh Riggs Sanders and Grayson Riggs Sanders along with several nieces and nephews.  

Carmie is preceded in death by her husband Sonny Yukevich, her brother Keith Gaines and his wife Margaret, her son Vincent Yukevich, her daughter Dorcia Ryan, her son in laws Richard Riggs and Randolph Ryan and her granddaughter Dr Raine’ Riggs.  

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the  Lee and Martin Funeral Home, 73 Highand Avenue, Burgettstown, Pa 15021.   All services are private and held at the convenience of the family.  Family requests that in lieu of flowers that people donate to the charity of their own choosing and try to enjoy life to the fullest the same way that Carmie did.