Lyusyena "Buchek" Yatsuta

Lyusyena (Lucy) Yatsuta, of Lambertville, New Jersey, died at her home, surrounded by her family, Tuesday, September 16, 2025. She was 78 years old.

Born in Ukraine, Lyusyena moved to the United States four years ago to be with her daughter and son-in-law, Marina and Robert Ferrante, in their home in Lambertville. She had fled the war in Ukraine and was beginning to build a new life here, close to family.

Lucy earned her master's degree in economics from the Kyiv National University of Economics and went on to work as a lead economist for the Ministry of Agricultural and Industrial Construction of Ukraine.

She was known for her sharp wit and wonderful sense of humor. A lifelong lover of language and learning, Lucy enjoyed crossword puzzles, books, and had recently begun studying English. She had a lovely singing voice and sang in a choir in her younger years.

A gifted cook, Lucy found joy in preparing meals for family and friends and loved collecting recipes from around the world. She also enjoyed knitting and sewing, and had a deep appreciation for flowers and gardening-especially her cherished collection of African violets.

Lucy was devoted to her family-a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was the beloved wife of the late Dr. George Yatsuta, the daughter of the late Timothy and Elena Buchek, and sister of the late Leonid Buchek.

She is survived by her daughters and their husbands, Marina Ferrante and her husband Robert of Lambertville, and Jane Yatsuta and her husband Slava Vakarchuk of Kyiv, Ukraine. She also leaves behind her cherished grandchildren: Kate Katsaval, Sofia, Ivan and Solomiya; her great-grandson, Henry; her sister-in-law, Tamara Yatsuta of Bullhead, Arizona; and many dear members of the Yatsuta, Kvantrishvili, and Buchek families.

Lucy was a kind and caring friend to all who knew her. She remained deeply connected to her roots and was an active member of the Ukrainian diaspora in the U.S., raising funds to support medical supplies for Ukrainian forces.

There will be a funeral service on Saturday, September 20, 2025, at 4:30 pm at the Van Horn McDonough Funeral Home, 21 York Street, Lambertville, NJ 08530.

There will be visitation at the funeral home on Saturday from 3:00 pm until the start of services.

Donations in Lyusyena's memory may be made to the Revived Soldiers of Ukraine, www.rsukraine.org, 426 Roehn Street, Orlando, FL 32806 or to Welcoming the Stranger, www.welcomingthestranger.org, PO Box 1156, Langhorne, PA 19047 (info@welcomingthestranger.org).