Obituary of Mary J. Yakubik

Mary J. Yakubik, 96, of Perth Amboy, passed away Wednesday, April 13, 2016 at the J.F.K. Medical Center in Edison. Mrs. Yakubik was born in Perth Amboy to the late John and Mary (Kalman) Refi and had lived all of her life in Perth Amboy. She was married to the late Joseph Yakubik, a registered pharmacist, and together they owned and operated the Jory Pharmacy and Gift Shop in Highland Park. Earlier, Mary had been employed as an executive secretary and a medical assistant. Mrs. Yakubik's volunteer work, civic leadership and charitable service included a wide area of philanthropy in Central Jersey: Perth Amboy Hospital volunteer nurses' aide; Middlesex County Pharmaceutical Association Auxiliary as past-president, fundraising chair and corresponding secretary; NJ Pharmaceutical Association Auxiliary, membership chair; a dedicated member of more than forty years of the American Cancer Society, Middlesex County Unit, serving on the Board of managers and the Executive Committee, she was the chairperson of the Candlelight Ball for three years and lay delegate to the NJ Division of ACS for eleven years, to name but a few of her responsibilities. She also served on the Board of Trustees of the NJ division of the American Cancer Society and along with her husband, received the State "Husband and Wife Distinguished Service Award". Her volunteer work for the Auxiliary of the John F. Kennedy Medical Center Foundation brought recognition to her as a member of the Ten/Ten Club (ten years or ten thousand hours). She served as a member of the Executive Board for many years, chairperson of the hospitality committee, secretary to the health education committee for twelve years, chairperson of the "Health Watch", the largest health fair in the state held in Menlo Park Mall for ten years. For numerous years, she and her husband played the roles of the grandparents in the Nutcracker ballet produced by the NJ Dance Theater Guild. Mary was a lifelong member of the Most Holy Name of Jesus Parish - Our Lady of Hungary Church in Perth Amboy. She was a former member of the Church Council, member of the choir, Lector and Trustee. She was also the lay representative of the Perth Amboy Deanery Council. In 1990, she served as the chairperson of the Carousel Ball. Mary had been a resident of JFK Hartwyck in Edison for the past three years and made many friendships among the residents and staff. In addition to her parents and husband, Mary was also predeceased by her sisters; Rose Gerhardt and Ann Kopper. She is survived by her nephew Philip John, his wife, their children and grandchildren as well as many cousins. Funeral services will be held Tuesday 10:30 am at the Mitruska Funeral Home, 531 New Brunswick Ave. Fords. Followed by an 11 am mass in the Most Holy Name of Jesus Parish - Our Lady of Hungary Church in Perth Amboy. Interment will follow in the Our Lady of Hungary Cemetery in Fords. Visitation hours will be held Monday from 4-6 pm. Memorial donations may be made to the Our Lady of Hungary Church, 697 Cortlandt Street. Perth Amboy, NJ 08861 or to a charity of one's choice.