Mary Hlynsky

Mary Pacak Hlynsky,age 105
Mary Pacak was one of eight children. She was born September 21, 1918, in Elk Creek Township, PA. Her immigrant parents' small farm was in western Pennsylvania near Albion. The town was not much more than a crossroads thirty miles southwest of Erie. All the children living outside of the Albion town line went to a one-room schoolhouse. Mary said that the entire library of the school could fit on a shelf one yard wide.
Mary's family was very musical and as teenagers would sit on their porch in the evenings playing music. Two of the brothers went on to form one of the most popular polka bands in Erie, PA. She liked to play the harmonica and later took lessons to play the Hawaiian guitar.
After high school, Mary moved to Erie to attend hairdressing school. She became licensed and worked in a salon in Erie for about 10 years. She also spent a summer working at a salon in an inn in the Catskills.
Her husband's family owned a bakery in Albion, but she didn't get to know Alex Hlynsky until they met again in Erie. He was sent to China during the war, a Lieutenant in charge of maintaining trucks. The pair corresponded through the end of the war and married when he returned home. They moved to Bethlehem, PA so Alex could attend college on the GI Bill. Eventually, Alex found work as a research chemist in northeastern Ohio, where they raised their three children. Mary was immensely proud of their accomplishments: They all became teachers and artists.
Mary was always very craft-oriented. For a time, she was a den mother with the Cub Scouts and enjoyed teaching boys how to make items from recycled materials. Mary loved to bake and was employed for several years at Riverside High School in Painesville Township to make pies and other desserts. After her children left home, Mary became an activity director at a nursing home, where she engaged musicians and led craft activities. She enjoyed writing their newsletter and often honored the residents with stories of their long lives. She also loved to correspond with her children, extended family, and friends frequently exchanging letters and cards. Throughout her life, Mary did leatherwork, ceramics, lapidary, and woodcarving, sharing many of those activities with her husband Alex, who died in 1986.
At the age of 92, Mary moved to Providence, RI to be closer to two of her children. While her hearing and sight diminished, she continued to enjoy food. As she said, "There is nothing better than toast and jam." She was well-loved and cared for by the staff of Wingate Residences. She often kissed their hands in appreciation of their kindness and care.
Mary's mother Katrina Benya passed away at the age of 62. Her father Nicholas Pacak died at the age of 99. Mary outlived all of her siblings by several years, celebrating her 105th birthday in September. Mary passed away in her sleep on December 18 leaving behind 3 children – David Hlynsky of Toronto, Karen Hlynsky of Providence, and Dennis Hlynsky of Providence – and two grandchildren – JP King Hlynsky of Toronto, and Andrew Hlynsky of Providence.
Arrangements in Erie are being handled by Brugger Funeral Homes & Crematory, 1595 West 38th St., Erie PA 16508.