Mary T. Czarnecki

MARY T. CZARNECKI EAST CHICAGO, IN Mary T. Czarnecki, age 93, passed away Wednesday, April 13, 2011 at the Hammond- Whiting Care Center. She was preceded in death by her husband, Edward, in September 1990; and her brothers: Walter, Stanley, and Edward. Her dedicated and loving family survives her including two sons: Robert (Cyndee) Czarnecki of Indian Head Park, IL and William (Donna) Czarnecki of Elkhart, IN; proud grandmother of six grandchildren: Jennifer (Nick) Crofts of Berwyn, IL, Kristyn (Steve) Scibienski of Rochester, NY, Jayson of Indian Head Park, IL, Andrew, Stephanie, and Gregory of Elkhart, IN; two great grandchildren: Emma and Matthew of Rochester, NY; numerous nieces and nephews; two sisters: Rose Banach of Burnham, IL and Julie Vrbanich of Munster, IN; and a trusted and faithful friend of many. Mary had been very active in numerous religious and community groups in East Chicago. She was a member of the Daughters of Isabella, and Twin City Circle #59 where she held the position of Chancellor for many years. Mary served as President and Vice President of the Rosary Confraternity of St. Mary's Church, past Treasurer and President of the Home and School Association of St. Mary's Parish, Board Member of Bishop Noll High School Parents Club, and member of Alumni Mothers of Noll. Mary also served in the capacity of parish representative for the National Council of Catholic Women, chaired the Beatty Memorial Hospital Ward parties for over 30 years, as well as the annual Thanksgiving parish clothing drive. She was a volunteer choir member at church and funeral masses as well as a prayer leader at wakes. In addition, Mary was a member of the following organizations: Heritage Hall Senior Citizens, Happy Timers of St. Stan's, Golden Agers, R.S.V.P. (Retired Senior Volunteers Program), and The Pilgrimage Legion Post #369 Ladies Auxiliary. She was a lifelong resident of East Chicago and a member of St. Mary's Church for over 70 years. Mary retired from Calumet Refinery in Burnham in 1985 after 11 years of service. Her final residence was the Albertine Nursing Manor in Hammond. Mary unselfishly gave all her time and talents to others. She was a devoted wife, loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother, and a friend to all who knew her. While active as a room mother and scout leader, she still found time to enjoy her hobbies of cooking, baking, and sewing. Mary and her husband enjoyed summer vacations with their sons and together after their retirement. She and her husband together passed on the virtues of hard work, honesty, sportsmanship, and family to their children. Mary's loss will be felt by all who knew and loved her and will create a void that her family will unite to fill with memories of their mother and grandmother . She will be sadly missed by all those who knew and loved her. Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 16, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. at Fife Funeral Home, 4201 Indianapolis Blvd., East Chicago and an 11:00 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at St. Mary's Church, East Chicago, with Rev. Stephen Gibson officiating. Burial at Holy Cross Cemetery, Calumet City, IL. Visitation will be Friday, April 15, 2011 from 4:00-8:00 p.m. at Fife Funeral Home. The American Legion Post 369 Ladies Auxiliary will conduct services at 4:00 p.m. The rosary will be prayed at 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to St. Mary's Church Building Fund or for Masses in Mary's name.