Maria Choronenko Slucky

It is with great sadness that we announce the loss of Maria Slucky, 91, who passed away peacefully on July 3, 2025.

Maria was born on July 28, 1993 in Selishche, Belarus to Iwan and Maria Choronenko. She was one of ten children. Her childhood was severely impacted by the twin ravages of Communism and the Second World War. Part of the family was able to flee Belarus in 1944, and they were fortunate to be taken under military protection in the US zone in 1945. For the next six years Maria lived in a succession of displaced person camps. She was blessed to be allowed to emigrate to the United States, arriving in New York harbor on December 13, 1951. She proudly became a naturalized citizen of the United States in April 1957. She considered herself fortunate to live in America and was thankful for the blessings she received in life.

She lived and worked in New York City until her marriage to Vitali W. Slucky on September 15, 1957. They subsequently moved to Angola, Indiana to allow Vitali to finish college, and then on to Denver in September of 1958 for Vitali to start his career with Martin Marietta. Three children were born in the following years: Alexey (1959), Andrew (1961) and Liza (1963).

Although she never finished elementary school in Europe, Maria greatly valued education. Perhaps her greatest source of pride was the educational advances she made as an adult. In 1975, Maria achieved an Associate degree in Medical Laboratory Technology from Arapahoe Community College. Upon graduation she accepted a position in the laboratory at Denver Presbyterian Hospital. She worked there for the next 33 years.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Vitali. She was also preceded in death by brothers Nicholas Choronenko, Wasyl Choronenko, Michael Choronenko, Alexander Choron, and Iwan Choronenko; sisters Glafira Chernenko, Yulia Lasarevic, Nina Sipatschew, and Lena Litwinow.

She is survived by her children: Alexey (Anne) Slucky, Andrew (Anne) Slucky and Liza Slucky; as well as six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

It was a good life.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Maria’s name to the All Saints of Russia Orthodox Church in Denver, Colorado here.