Margaret Elizabeth Hornyak

Margaret Elizabeth Haloka Hornyak passed away at home in Jacksonville, Florida on September 18, 2013 with her family at her side. Margaret was born in Cleveland, Ohio on January 27, 1928 to Terezia (Theresa) and Janos (John) Haloka, a winter day so cold that the ice on the windows eliminated the need to even close the curtains to the bedroom where she made her entrance. Joining step-siblings, John, Elmer and Emily, little Margie was the apple of her father's eye. In 1948, she married Andrew Hornyak, with whom she had three children, Judith, Jerry (D) and Janice. In 1966, the family moved from Brook Park, Ohio, to Titusville, Florida and over the next several decades, Margaret became an enthusiastic Florida transplant, later residing in Port St. John, Cocoa, Tallahassee and finally Jacksonville, making friends wherever she went. While most of her young adult life was spent as a stay-at-home Mom, Margaret also spent several years working as an executive secretary for both NASA and McDonnell Douglas. Widowed in 1981, Margaret devoted the next several years helping to raise her beloved grandchildren, David and Bethany and enthralling them with her one-of-a-kind, wonderfully imaginative storytelling. In 1993, to the delight of her extended family, Margaret married John Hornyak, Andy's older brother and had the opportunity to travel with John throughout the United States. Margaret tragically lost her son Jerry Hornyak in 1971, but is survived by her daughters Judith Bilsky and Janice Hornyak, her grandchildren David Bilsky, Bethany Bilsky, and Victoria Martinez, Janice's husband Dave Martinez, and former son-in-law, William "My Friend Bill" Bilsky, as well as numerous dear friends. She will be lovingly remembered as strong, sassy, and fiercely dedicated to her family. Margaret Hornyak was always brimming with laughter, a voracious reader, loved ice cream, coffee, anything chocolate, and unfortunately... seventy years of cigarettes. Most of all, she lived a full life and lived it well. Graveside services will be held on Sunday, October 13, 2013 at 2 p.m. at Brevard Memorial Park in Frontenac, Florida. In lieu of flowers, "Thanksgiving" contributions to Second Harvest or another similar charity serving the disadvantaged or homeless in your community may be made in Margaret's name.