Obituary of Una Marie Tuchyner

Una Marie (Meme) Tuchyner, age 80, of St. Petersburg, FL passed away on June 8, 2019.

In life, Una’s creed was simple, and she often repeated its essence to her children with these memorable words:

1. Do Unto Others As You Would Have Them Do Unto You.
2. Do Not Judge Others Until You’ve Walked a Mile in Their Moccasins.

She was devoted to these principals and lived and breathed them every day of her life without waver.

Quiet and shy by nature, Una’s selfless character, patience and infectious playfulness created a strong presence and left an unforgettable impression on her family, friends and even strangers. She was quick to give a smile and kind word to anyone in distress.  She was highly intuitive and sensitive to other people’s needs. And, when she invoked the power of prayer to help with some difficult situation, you knew her direct line to God would bring results. Una’s faith allowed her to overcome the many challenges she faced in life – and to create nothing short of miracles in the lives of others. She was an angel on earth.

Una was born on December 7, 1938 in York, PA to Elsie Lentz-Catling and Lawson (Deacon) Catling. She was raised with her sister Nina in Pennsylvania and they spent most of their summers at Beach Haven, NJ, where their father owned a beach-front residence.

Una’s family moved to St. Petersburg in the 1950s, where she attended St. Petersburg Jr. College, earned an AA in Nursing and met her future husband.

In both her personal life and career, she practiced the art of caring for others in need. As a registered nurse (RN), she served in hospitals and nursing homes, in pediatric wings and psychiatric wards. She ran blood banks and kidney dialysis centers, taught CPR and ministered to home healthcare patients.

Perhaps most notably she comforted hundreds of patients for Hospice of the Florida Suncoast. During her years as a hospice nurse, she witnessed the rise of the AIDS epidemic. She observed that her patients, once mostly elders with cancer, had changed to young men in the prime of their lives, accompanied by companions who were every bit as devoted as a life-long spouse.

Una’s greatest joy was her three children, Danny, Karen and Robin, whom she raised in Miami for over a decade, and then in St. Petersburg after her divorce in the mid-70s. Her defining characteristic as a mother was unconditional love (with a dash of worry and protectiveness on the side). She always provided loving affection, support and words of wisdom when needed. There was no emotional strife or trauma that she couldn’t mend. She had a talent for putting things into perspective and helping us rise above any turmoil. (In addition, we were all well prepared from an early age to escape a sinking car, out-maneuver a charging alligator and evade a would-be kidnapper.)

Una is survived by her sister Nina Mary Williams and her husband Dale Williams and their son Cary Williams; three children, Daniel Tuchyner and his wife Ruby Tuchyner, Karen Woodworth, and Robin Mills and her husband Ray Mills; as well as her beloved grandchildren Samantha Tuchyner-Porter and husband Colton Porter and daughter Sage Porter, Jeremiah Tuchyner, Jesse Tuchyner, Jacob Tuchyner and Brooke Woodworth. Una was predeceased by her grandson, Matthew Mills.

A gathering of family and friends will be held on Saturday, June 15, 2019 at 2pm with a Memorial Service to immediately follow at 2:30pm, both at Anderson-McQueen Funeral Home, 7820 38th Ave. N, St. Petersburg, FL 33704.

Flowers or memorial donations to SPCA of Tampa Bay, Humane Society of Tampa Bay, or the World Wildlife Fund for Nature are welcome.