MARY E. KMETZ

KMETZ, MARY E.Mary Ella Kmetz departed this life peacefully February 1, 2005 at Calvary Hospital in New York City with her loved ones by her side. The family has honored her wishes for a private funeral service in Woodside Queens, where she was born September 29, 1925 and subsequently raised. She has gone home to her final rest in Flushing Cemetery, beside her husband Stephen Joseph Kmetz, her father and mother Charles and Gabriella (Ella) Skaretka, and her brother William. A dear brother Carl and his son Richard Skaretka, Sr., best friend Betty Wanamaker and beloved feline companions Oreo and Min predeceased her. She leaves to mourn her passing a sister, Dorothy Skaretka of New York City, four children, Stephanie of New City, Louise Ellen of Saratoga, NY, Stephen Jeffrey of San Francisco and Carol Melnik of Parish, FL, a nephew Robert Skaretka, a niece Dorothy Magni as well as many grandnephews and nieces. Mary excelled in her studies at William Cullen Bryant High School, Long Island City and at the New York University School of Commerce Accounts and Finance before securing a position at U.S. Steel Corp., where she met her future husband. Marrying and settling in Central Nyack, she became active in the community Fire House Ladies' Auxiliary. Later, she enjoyed part time work at McDermott's Ice Cream Parlor while raising her children and handling household finances and operation. After the family's move to New City in 1957, she found employment at Little Tor Elementary School to be near her children, then furthered her career at Rockland National Bank and finally Cosco Industries. After retirement and the death of her husband, she maintained her home while pursuing her interests. She appreciated fine food and music especially Italian opera and Strauss waltzes, enjoyed attending ethnic heritage festivals not just her own Slovak, but Greek and German alike. She loved the wonder and beauty of nature whether puttering in her yard or visiting public gardens and parks or watching the suburban wildlife. Mary was a generous, hardworking, religious woman who gave what she could to various charities, and was a long time member of the Lutheran Hour Ministries. A devoted family matriarch, her love and enduring concern was the glue that kept everyone together and will be sorely missed.