Christine Helen Mackov, age 99, passed peacefully on August 16, 2026, among family in Worthington, OH. She was born September 9, 1926, in Hrachovo, Slovakia, the youngest of nine children and the daughter of the late Paul and Anna (Ostrihon) Juhanjak. In 1934, at just eight years old, Chris and her sister Beatrice, age 11, embarked on a steamship voyage from Europe to America to join the rest of their family, who had settled in Bergholz, OH.

Chris went on to study fashion design and art, graduating with a bachelor’s degree from Kent State University. She married John Mackov and they settled in Toronto, OH, where they welcomed sons, John and Stephen.

Chris worked for many years as an art teacher in the Toronto, Stanton Local, East Liverpool and Salem school systems. Later, Chris moved to Salem, OH, to be closer to her siblings. There, she and Beatrice started their Studio Seven design business, producing cross stitch designs, patterns and kits that were carried in stores and featured in craft magazines. They also jointly published a Slovak Heritage Cookbook, preserving family traditions and recipes for generations to come. Chris later lived in Washington Court House before making her home in Worthington, where she resided for more than 20 years.

Christine was an accomplished artist, painting with oil on canvas and other mediums, making both large works and delicate, miniature pieces. Her creativity was never-ending. She was a talented seamstress, making pillows, quilts, clothing and even special Easter coats for her granddaughters. She found great joy in cooking and baking, especially preparing traditional Slovak feasts for Christmas and Easter. Her beautifully decorated Easter lambs were a cherished tradition and a reflection of the love she poured into everything she created.

Chris loved to travel and enjoyed trips throughout the United States and abroad. She and her sister Ann volunteered for many years at St. Vincent de Paul in Washington Court House. She was a voracious reader and interested in world events, watching the news and receiving the daily newspaper until her passing. She was faithful to God and her Catholic faith.

Chris was full of life—independent, spirited, curious, and wonderfully herself. She embraced the world with enthusiasm and an open mind, and her wit, energy, and joy remained unmistakable throughout her long and remarkable life.

Chris is survived by her sons, John (Susan) Macko and Stephen (Linda) Mackov, both of Worthington; granddaughters, Hannah (Kristin Peoples) Macko of Dublin and Rachel Mackov of Lewis Center, and great-granddaughter, Monroe Macko-Peoples.

Chris was preceded in death by her husband, John, and after many years apart, they are together once again. Chris’ six sisters, Julia Sobek, Mary Sobek, Helen Druszkowski, Margaret Wiess, Ann Tencza and Beatrice Yuhaniak, and two brothers, Joseph and John Yuhanick also preceded her in death.

A Funeral Liturgy with Mass will be held on Friday, August 21 at 11 AM at St. Francis Roman Catholic Church in Toronto. Fr. Thomas Vennitti will celebrate and she will be laid to rest next to her husband in the Toronto Union Cemetery in Toronto, OH.