Matushka Helen Pogrebniak of Shoreline, WA, and wife of the late Archpriest Vadim Pogrebniak, fell asleep in the Lord on May 29, 2023 in Edmonds, WA after a long illness. She was 81 years old.
Born Helen Skvir on December 1, 1941, in Kittanning, PA, she was the daughter of the late Michael Skvir and Lillian (Szuhaj) Skvir. After graduating as salutatorian of her class at Williamsburg (PA) High School in 1959, she moved to Washington D.C., where she worked as a secretary for the FBI. While attending church in the area, she met a Saint Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary student, Vadim Pogrebniak. They married in 1963 and, after his ordination, went on to serve parishes in Ambridge, PA, Manville, NJ, Yonkers, NY, and San Francisco.
In 1980, Father Vadim assumed the pastorate of Saint Spiridon Cathedral in Seattle, WA, where he served as Rector until his retirement in 2007. During those years, Matushka Helen worked full-time as an administrative secretary at the Union Bank of California in Seattle, while also serving the parish in her own manner. Whether lending her rich alto voice in singing responses at services, serving as an officer in the parish Guild, teaching folk dances to the youth of the parish, preparing Russian specialties for sale at fundraisers, or giving a warm welcome to those who visited the church, she utilized her talents to support her husband’s ministry and earned the affection and high regard of those around her. After her husband’s retirement, Matushka divided her time between St. Spiridon Cathedral and Holy Apostles Greek Orthodox Church, where Fr. Vadim served until his death in 2018.
Matushka Helen is survived by her sons, Vadim (“Dima”) and Kyrie, her brothers Larry Skvir (Connie) and Ronald Skvir, and sister Irene Kohute (Stephen).
Her funeral service will be held on Tuesday, June 13, 2023 at 11:00 AM at Holy Apostles Greek Orthodox Church, 19421 Ashworth Ave. N., Shoreline, WA 98133. Interment will follow directly thereafter at Edmonds Memorial Cemetery, 820 15th St. SW, Edmonds, WA 98020. Following the interment, a mercy meal will be served at Holy Apostles fellowship hall.
May Matushka Helen’s memory be eternal!