Gertraud L. Kuchynsky

Gertraud “Gerti” Lore (Kreissl) Kuchynsky Sept 1, 1934 – Oct 30, 2021 Gertraud “Gerti” passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 30, at The Inn at Olentangy in Delaware, OH. She leaves behind two sons, Victor & Andrew (Amy) Kuchynsky; a daughter, Maria Iwanechko; and five grandchildren, Kristin & Danielle Iwanechko and Kyle, Eric & Caroline Kuchynsky. She is preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Borys (2017), and her eldest son, Peter (2012). Born on September 1, 1934 in Leoben, Austria to Dr. Franz & Frida (Hanisch) Kreissl, Gerti’s early years were spent in Graz, until WWII swept through Europe. For her safety, her parents sent her to live with relatives in the border regions of Czechoslovakia (Erzgebirge in Sudetenland). She recalled sitting on the hill watching planes drop bombs in the distance, how frightened she felt and how terribly she missed her parents and older brother, Erich. After the war ended, she returned to her family in Graz and her school studies. She thrived in school, particularly enjoying math classes and anything requiring critical analytic skills. In 1951, she met Borys, an Engineering student who had relocated to Graz from Ukraine during the war. Two years later, despite laws forbidding unions between Austrian residents and ‘foreigners,’ Borys and Gerti married in a private ceremony. Soon after, their son Peter was born. In 1956, the young family immigrated to America settling in Maplewood, NJ, where they remained for 25 years. The family of three expanded to six with the additions of Maria, Victor, and Andrew. Following a short three year stint in West Chester, PA, Borys obtained a position in Columbus, OH, prompting the family's final move to Upper Arlington, OH, in 1984. Gerti embraced her life in Ohio, enjoying hiking the Metro Parks with her husband, cross country skiing at the golf course, swimming at the local pool, and solving her favorite Sudoku puzzles. Gerti looked forward to visits from her children and grandchildren, and delighted in their ventures to the Ohio State Fair, German Village, Water Park and Columbus Zoo. In turn, her grandchildren loved to visit their Oma – particularly looking forward to her homemade soups, and various Ukrainian and German dishes. With her grace, compassion, and quiet strength she was the true heart of the family and will forever be missed. Visitation will be on Friday, November 5 from 8-9AM with a service at the funeral home at 9AM. A graveside service will take place on Friday, November 5, at St. Andrew’s Cemetery, South Bound Brook, NJ, at 10:30 a.m.