Millie M Rychcik

Mildred (Millie) Rychcik, 93, of Friendswood Texas passed away December 12, 2020. She was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on May 5, 1927 to George and Katie Smith. She was married to Edward M. Rychcik for 44 years. She was an awesome wife, homemaker and mother of 6.

She was preceded in death by her Parents, George & Katie Smith, Brothers, Henry, Walter, Joe and sister Janie (Barimani), Husband, Edward M Rychcik, Sons, Eddie and Kevin, and great-grandson Henry Smyth.

She is survived by, Kathie Fenn (Larry), Judi Schanck (Jack), Robert (Bob) Rychcik, (Amy), Janet Pfund (Donald), Kevin’s widow Dara Rychcik, Brother, Georgie Smith, 13 grandchildren, Jennifer, Maureen, John, Bobby Joel, Kristin, Laura, Andrew, Roy, Katie, Ben, Stephen, Daniel, Ashley and Amber; 25 great grandchildren.

Mom grew up on a farm in Butler, Pennsylvania and many times shared stories of hardship but always felt blessed to live and work on the farm. These were some of her favorite memories and this is where she acquired her outstanding work ethic early in life. Mom loved spending time with her siblings shooting rifles, horseback riding and helping her dad with his gardening. When her brother Joe died suddenly of a heart attack at age 40, we saw the first-time mom cried. She was devastated.

Mom met our father soon after the war and moved to Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. Mom took up sewing and paint by number to keep her busy during the little breaks she got raising 6 kids. Mom enjoyed bingo and she had a bag full of “bingo dobbers” that went with her every Friday. Together, mom and dad enjoyed several cruises and trips to Vegas—her love for gambling was ignited! Even this past year at age 93, she was entertaining taking one last trip to the casino. After dad passed away, we would take mom almost every month for years.

Mom worked hard all her life. She emphasized that work ethic when several of us kids worked with her at the Village Dairy and some of us made the mistake of standing around without a rag in our hands “ready to clean”.

Mom also had a passion for sewing (we were proud to wear the dresses she made us), but her love language was cooking, and it was enjoyed by all. She truly was the Pierogi Queen! Many times, making them for days so she could gift us at Christmas. (quite the gift when you have 6 kids!) Her quilting was a hidden talent that she taught herself to do and the quilts she made and gave to her family were a labor of love. Hobbies added to this were creating paint by number pictures, 1000-piece puzzles (done in a day sometimes), Ceramics, Bingo (every Friday Night) and Gambling (whenever she could!) Mom was a spunky little Polish lady and lived an amazing 93 years (one that we contribute to the beer she had for breakfast every morning).

Mom was feisty in her humor, especially when it was combined with her oldest son Ed, they were absolutely hilarious together. She would say things with a serious look on her face and wait to crack a smile till you laughed.

There will always be a huge “void” in our hearts for this remarkable lady we proudly called “our mom”. Till we meet again….

In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation to the charity of your choice in memory of Millie.