Martha Velva (Kellihan) Fycyk

Martha Velva (Kellihan) Fycyk, 88, of Ford City, passed away on Tuesday, October 17, 2023, in her residence in Bethel Township.

A daughter of the late Athel R. Kellihan and Janie C. (Weavil) Bryant Kellihan, she was born July 16, 1935 in Cerro Gordo, North Carolina.

Martha graduated high school in Cerro Gordo, NC and then attended East Carolina College for one year.  She had the courage to land in Washington, DC where she rented a room in a boarding house across the street from the National Zoo.  She worked full time at a bank and part-time in a department store.  Her future husband was a customer at the bank and that’s how they met.  After they married, they started their family in an apartment in Washington, DC, where Martha’s mother came to live with them several months after the birth of their first child; and stayed with them until her passing.

Martha had been employed as a bookkeeper/accountant the majority of her career with a short time working at the U.S. Postal Service in Merrifield, VA.  They raised their family in Arlington, VA.  At the age of 60, Martha retired from the Dept. of Defense as a budget analyst in 1995.  She enjoyed collecting many things, especially favored toys, dolls, lamps, coffee pots, clowns, and anything that was a bargain, even if she didn’t need it.  She loved to decorate her home, and prized herself on cooking the most extravagant holiday feasts.  She had energy beyond belief!

Survivors include her children, Tanya M. Anderson (Rick) of Manassas, VA, Michael D. Fycyk Jr. of Northern Virginia, VA, Andrea S. Gillies of Ford City; a granddaughter, Janie C. Anderson of Brooklyn, NY; sister, Loretta Johnson of Virginia Beach, VA.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Michael D. Fycyk Sr.; and siblings, William Penn Bryant, Oran Evans Bryant, Louise Bryant Spivey, Mona Faye Kellihan Watkins.

Friends will be welcomed by her family on Monday, October 23, 2023 from 2-4 p.m. at the Clawson Funeral & Cremation Center, 170 Main St., Leechburg, 724-842-1051.  Interment will be private at the convenience of the family.

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