Jo (Josephine) Helen (Plavka) Sedor, 95, fell asleep in the Lord on Monday afternoon, June 30th, surrounded by her family at her home in Johnson City, NY. Jo is survived by her devoted daughter, Tamara Sedor of Johnson City, NY; loving daughter-in-law, Pani Eileen (Gladis) Sedor of Pittsburgh, PA; two adored grandchildren, Stephanie and Charissa, also of Pittsburgh, PA; cherished sisters Carole Paccio of Endwell, NY and Jane Mastrogiovanni of Geneva, NY; sister-in-law Pani Mary Sedor of Columbus, NJ; Godchildren Karinn Joy Nazak, Ray Shapinas, and Patricia Gay; and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews. She was welcomed home to sing in the heavenly choir with her beloved husband of 60 years, Edward Sedor, and loving son, Very Rev. Fr. David; parents, John and Zuzanna Plavka; sisters Mary Orzell and Anne Shapinas; brothers-in-law Sam Mastrogiovanni, Carl Paccio, Bill Orzell, and Joe Shapinas; her ‘other’ parents, John and Anastasia Sedor; brothers-in-law John, George, Msgr. Stephen, and Michael; sisters-in-law Anna Obelkevich, Mary Kurtyak, Susan Nemec, and Dorothy Rossi.

Jo, known as “Aunt Jo” and “Nana Jo” by her family, was a January graduate of the Johnson City High School class of 1948. She was a woman before her time and in the 50s was creating draft circuit board schematics … in a closet because she wasn’t supposed to be working on the projects because she was a female. She subcontracted for companies such as GE & IBM and was very proud of her work drafting the space shuttle simulator. A long-time member of her beloved church choir at St. Michael’s Orthodox Church in Binghamton, NY, Jo was at her core a true artist, expressing her gifts across the spectrum of visual, performance, culinary, and botanical arts. She was the family’s most vivid storyteller, often sharing memories with intricate details that no one else could remember. Her skill in needlecraft and working with silk flowers contributed to countless matching dresses for her grandchildren, outfits for their dolls, wedding crowns and bridal caps for her extended family, and even her own bridal gown. Her family fondly recalls and passes on her baking recipes, especially her cut-out cookies which were the most sought-after delicacy. Jo spent time regularly in the St. Michael’s Recreation Center baking nut rolls, rolling holupki, and pinching pirohi, and was always ready to lend a hand decorating the hall for any event. She put immense diligence into adorning the house her husband built, displaying intricately decorated easter eggs and a variety of her own art work and those made by her children and grandchildren, as well as tending her large garden which provided scores of tomatoes for her famous canned sauce. Along with her husband, she spent much of her retirement visiting the numerous parishes her son served and attending her grandchildren’s many school performances. In her last 15 years, she overcame her fear of flying to visit Disney World every year to watch her nieces run marathons and do a few ‘drinks around the world’ with extended family.  She rode Thunder Mountain every year up until her last visit in 2017 at the young age of 87. She then went on two Disney cruises with Tami with scooters in tow.

The Sedor and Plavka families would like to offer sincere thanks especially to the loving Zoa Avenue neighbors, Joe, Maria, Donna & Mary, and aides, Theresa, Nancy, Roseanne, Donna, Helen, and Dawn, who so warmly cared for Jo over the past few months. A Divine Liturgy and Funeral Service will be celebrated by the Very Rev. Protopresbyter James Dutko on Monday July 7th at 10am at St. Michael's Orthodox Church, 292 Clinton Street, Binghamton. Burial will follow in St. Michael's Cemetery, Town of Dickinson. The family will receive friends Sunday July 6th from 4-6:30pm at St. Michael’s Church (a Parastas will be celebrated at 6:30pm) as well as 9-10am on Monday before the liturgy. In lieu of flowers, kindly consider contributions in Jo’s memory to St. Michael's Orthodox Church or to the charity of one's choice.