Alvina Reschetnjak Leva

Alvina Reschetnjak Leva, age 83, was born on February 12, 1942, in Kryvyj Rih, Central Ukraine. In 1957, she immigrated to the United States with her family through Ellis Island, beginning a life defined by resilience, generosity, and deep pride in her Ukrainian heritage.

Alvina graduated from Passaic High School in 1961 and soon after married Jim Guidetti, Sr. Together, they raised two children, Jim and Gina. In 1979, the family relocated from New Jersey to Georgia, where Alvina continued to build both her career and a strong, vibrant community.

A devoted member of the Ukrainian Women’s League for many years, Alvina founded the Ukrainian Children’s Fund, through which she tirelessly collected and sent clothing, shoes, and eyeglasses to Ukrainians in need. Her generosity and commitment to helping others reflected both her cultural heritage and her compassionate spirit. She took great pride in assisting many Ukrainians with navigating the process of obtaining American citizenship and was instrumental in promoting Ukrainian artists in the United States. She also served as a liaison between athletes and the Olympic Committee during the 1996 Olympic Games leveraging her fluency in English, Ukrainian and German. Known as well for her gourmet meals and beautifully hosted gatherings, Alvina brought people together with warmth, elegance, and joy.

Alvina enjoyed a highly successful career in insurance sales, where she was frequently recognized as a top-performing agent. Her professionalism, determination, and warmth left a lasting impression on colleagues and clients alike.

Outside of her professional and charitable work, Alvina had a lifelong love of opera, art, and world travel. She embraced beauty, culture, and new experiences wherever she went, living life with curiosity and grace and always in style.

She was preceded in death by her father, Nicholas Reschetnjak, Sr.; her mother, Elsa; her stepfather, Petro Woskobijnyk; her sister, Victoria; her brother, Nicholas Reschetnjak, Jr.; her first husband, Jim Guidetti; and her second husband, Harvey Leva.

Alvina is survived by her son, Jim Guidetti (Aimee); her daughter, Gina Guidetti-Cawthon (Lee); her granddaughters, Elizabeth Roper, Lauren Guidetti, Leah Ray (Luke), Kylie Cawthon, and Cherish Roper; her grandson, Connor Sapper; and her great-grandson, Gavin Roper. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews; her devoted friend and caregiver of many years, Aferdita Kostic; and the compassionate staff at Welcome Home Care Center in Loganville.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to either the Dementia Society of America or Dahlonega Healing Herds.