Mindy H. Semanyk, 54, pharmacist

Mindy Hirsh Semanyk, 54, of Penn Valley, a pharmacist and founder of a fund to aid pharmacy students, died Sept. 11, of breast cancer at her home.

Dr. Semanyk was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer five years ago. She fought the disease with a "warrior attitude," never missing a day of work, said her husband, William Semanyk. "Most people never knew she was fighting valiantly all that time."

She set herself two goals: to co-own and operate a pharmacy and to establish a scholarship fund at the University of the Sciences, where she had studied, to help students with expenses unrelated to tuition.

She accomplished both.

From April 2015 through Friday, Sept. 2, when health issues forced her to retire, she operated Holmesburg Pharmacy at 8039 Frankford Ave. in Torresdale. She also set up the fund that bears her name.

"Mindy remembered a few lean years while attending the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and wanted to cushion the burden for a student in similar circumstances," her husband said.

Blessed with a sharp mind and tremendous drive to succeed, Dr. Semanyk returned to her alma mater - Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, now known as the University of the Sciences - years after graduating in 1984 with a bachelor of science degree in pharmacy.

She completed an advanced doctor of pharmacy degree in 2002. In addition, she became a preceptor, or mentor for the school, working with fifth-year pharmacy students.

"She provided gourmet meals to these students at our home every week," her husband said. "She believed in making sure her students were well-fed before the three- to four-hour review class."

When not engaged in her work, Dr. Semanyk loved music and going to concerts. "She knew how to rock and roll," her husband said. She also played the piano "at Juilliard School level."

Dr. Semanyk was a "gym rat," routinely running 50 miles a week. She chose her meals with care and "was the epitome of good health," her husband said. "Or so we thought."

After the cancer diagnosis, she enrolled in clinical cancer trials at Penn Medicine Oncology, her husband said. The personalized immunotherapy she received sent her into remission for three years until her liver failed last year.

She enjoyed sunbathing, walking, visiting with her grandchildren, eating water ice and turkey, driving her BMW, and shopping at malls.

Born in Philadelphia, Dr. Semanyk graduated in 1979 from Saul High School of Agricultural Sciences. Later, she moved to Penn Valley with her husband. The couple had two children.

She was a member of Rho Chi Society, an academic honor society for pharmacists.

Besides her husband, she is survived by a daughter, Tracy Rossi; her mother, Estelle Hirsh; two grandchildren; and three brothers.

Her father, Martin Hirsh, and a son, Joshua Semanyk, died earlier.

Funeral services were Sept. 14, with interment in West Laurel Hill Cemetery.

Donations may be made to the Dr. Mindy Hirsh Semanyk Resource Scholarship Fund, c/o the University of the Sciences, 600 S. 43rd St., Philadelphia 19104.

bcook@phillynews.com

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