Irene (Metro) Mahalko

Irene (Metro) Mahalko, 96, of Monessen passed away on Tuesday, August 17, 2021 in Indiana, PA. Irene had lived there with her daughter and son-in-law for the past 5 years and was blessed to have died peacefully in their home following a brief illness. Irene was born in Pittsburgh’s South Side on January 29, 1925.  She was the only child of the late Nicholas and Helen (Yacko) Gmitro or Metro.  She never knew her father as he passed away one week prior to her birth.  Irene was a graduate of South High and worked for Hartford Steam Boiler of Pittsburgh before meeting George Mahalko of Monessen; they were married on September 25, 1949.  Irene was a devoted Christian of the Catholic faith and was a longtime member of St. Mary Byzantine Catholic Church in Monessen.  It has been said that she was “kindness personified” and that there can be no doubt that her soul is in Heaven. Family was everything to her and she was blessed to have had and spent time with all of her 9 great grandchildren. Irene was preceded in death by her husband George in 2008 and her daughter Patricia (Mahalko) McKnight Yauger in 2017.  She is survived by her daughter Elaine and son-in-law Tom Kerr of Indiana, PA; Grandchildren Jennifer (Eric) Newhouse of Bridgeville, PA, Brian (Missy) McKnight of Canonsburg, PA, David (Kleynia) McKnight of Stanwood,WA , Eric (Mallory) Kerr of Indiana, PA, Chris (Nicole) Kerr of South Fork, PA;  Great-grandchildren Ella and Austin Newhouse, Bailey and Audrey McKnight, Davnia McKnight, Kayden and Conner Kerr, Andrew and Madeline Kerr. Friends will be received on Monday, August 23 from 5 - 8 pm at the Robert A Billick Funeral Home Inc, Grand Blvd and Marion Ave, Monessen PA. www.billicksfuneralhome.com Additional visitation will be on Tuesday, August 24 from 9:30-10:30 am followed by a 10:30 am Panachida service at the funeral home and 11:00 Divine Liyurgy at St. Mary Byzantine Catholic Church in Monessen.  Interment will follow at St. Mary Cemetery in Rostraver. Special thanks to Father Wesley Mash of St. Mary’s Byzantine Catholic Church, Homer City, PA and to the VNA (Visiting Nurse Association) Home Health Care/Hospice of Indiana County.