Raissa Melnyk Obituary
She was born on April 1, 1934, in Lysa Hora, Mykolayivska Oblast, Ukraine, to Maria and Fedor Hraur, who preceded her in death.
Raissa was a devoted homemaker and a longtime resident of the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area before relocating to Florida 40 years ago. She married her beloved husband, Anatolij Melnyk, in 1951. He preceded her in death in 1992. Together they built a family rooted in faith, music, and strong Ukrainian traditions.
The loving mother of five children, Raissa was an active Ukrainian community member. She was a longtime member of the church choirs at St. Andrew's Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Florida and St. Vladimir's Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Pennsylvania. She also shared her love of music as a member of the women's Ukrainian ensemble "Chervoni Maky."
Raissa was passionate about her family, gardening, and healthy living. Her warmth, dedication, and beautiful soprano singing voice will be remembered by all who knew her.
She is survived by her children and grandchildren:
· Lilia Melnyk Knight (Jim) of Lady Lake, FL
· Ihor Melnyk (Lydia) of Holland, PA; with sons Andrew (fiancée Allison Pease) and Roman
· Walter Melnyk (Roberta) of Aston, PA; with sons Olek, Bo, and Yuri
· Christopher Kapalcik, grandson
In addition to her parents, brother and husband, Raissa was preceded in death by her daughters Svitlana Melnyk Kowal and Nadia Melnyk (Kapalcik) Gibbons, and her grandson Travis Kapalcik.
Services
• Florida viewing and funeral services will be held at St. Andrew's Ukrainian Orthodox Church, 4100 S. Biscayne Drive, North Port, FL, on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. (time to be confirmed)
• Pennsylvania family visitation will take place on Saturday, January 24, 2026, beginning at 9:00 a.m. (time to be confirmed) at Fletcher-Nasevich Funeral Home, 9529 Bustleton Ave., Philadelphia, PA.
Burial services will follow at St. Andrew's Ukrainian Orthodox Cemetery, Bound Brook, New Jersey.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to Save Ukraine: https://www.saveukraineua.org
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
How you can show support
Follow
Get email updates whenever changes are made.
Send flowers
Consider sending flowers.
Add photos
Share their life with photo memories.
Plant trees
Honor them by planting trees in their memory.
Donate in Memory
Make a donation in memory of your loved one.
Share this page
Invite other friends and family to visit the page.
0 Entries
Be the first to post a memory or condolences.
265 Nokomis Avenue, Venice, FL 34285
Make a Donation
in Raissa Melnyk's name
People and places connected with Raissa
Recent Obituaries
Recent Obituaries
Recent Obituaries
How to support Raissa's loved ones
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Cope With Grief
Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you.
Read more
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreWays to honor Raissa Melnyk's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
