Obituary for Mary S. Kurzawski
Beloved Mother, Grandmother and Great-grandmother, Mary Sophia Kurzawski, passed away on December 20, 2021, at 98 years of age, in Camp Hill, PA. Mary was born September 6, 1923, to Stephen and Sophia (Bigda) Perkoski in Nanticoke, PA. After graduating from high school, Mary set off on her first great adventure, moving to New York City to find work. Her great-grandchildren, Kara and Kristen, loved to listen to her stories of Manhattan in the early 1940s.
Mary’s next big adventure started on a trip home to Nanticoke where she met the young man she would soon marry—1st Sgt William Kurzawski. Bill and Mary were married on September 4, 1945, at Ft. Oglethorpe, GA. Over the next few years, they went wherever the Army sent them, including Japan, Virginia and New York City, and had 3 children—Audrey, Kathryn and Susan. In 1955, Mary once again proved her adventurous and independent spirit by traveling by train from New York to Seattle, WA, where she and her 3 young daughters boarded a Navy transport bound to Japan. This was their second tour of Japan and her granddaughter, Lisa, never got tired of hearing the stories of Mary and her 3 daughters riding the rails across America.
In 1961, Mary and her family settled down in Harrisburg, PA, where she started a long and successful career in the banking industry, working at Dauphin Deposit and Commerce Bank as an auditor. In 1976, Bill and Mary built a home in Camp Hill, PA. They continued to travel for many years after, including a memorable tour of Alaska in the late 1970s. After Bill’s untimely death, Mary continued to travel on her own, visiting family in Alaska, Oregon, California and Colorado.
Never one to sit still, Mary worked part time at Boscov’s for many years. However, as much as she enjoyed her time in Men’s Furnishings, the work took a back seat to her busy social schedule that revolved mainly around golfing with “the ladies.” Mary was also a long-time member of Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Camp Hill, PA, where she enjoyed attending church gatherings and Saturday evening mass with her friends. In her later years, she was a fierce competitor in computer solitaire and could solve even the most difficult crossword puzzles in no time flat.
Mary is survived by her daughters, Kathryn (Raymond) Mann of Seattle, WA, and Susan (Alan) Rader of Dauphin, PA, as well as her granddaughter, Lisa (Chris) Woodley, and two great-grandchildren, Kara and Kristen Woodley of Vashon, WA.
She was preceded in death by her daughter, Audrey; her husband, Bill; and her grandson, Aaron Mann, as well as her siblings, Leonard, Helen Irene, and Stephen Jr.
A mass of Christian burial will be held at 1:30 P.M. on Wednesday, December 29, 2021 at the Church of the Good Shepherd, 3435 E. Trindle Rd., Camp Hill, PA 17011, with Rev. Neil S. Sullivan as Celebrant. A visitation with Mary's family will be held in the church on Wednesday from 12:30 P.M. until the start of the mass. All who attend the services are asked to please wear a face covering/mask.
In lieu of flowers, please consider contributing to the Church of the Good Shepherd.
Mary’s next big adventure started on a trip home to Nanticoke where she met the young man she would soon marry—1st Sgt William Kurzawski. Bill and Mary were married on September 4, 1945, at Ft. Oglethorpe, GA. Over the next few years, they went wherever the Army sent them, including Japan, Virginia and New York City, and had 3 children—Audrey, Kathryn and Susan. In 1955, Mary once again proved her adventurous and independent spirit by traveling by train from New York to Seattle, WA, where she and her 3 young daughters boarded a Navy transport bound to Japan. This was their second tour of Japan and her granddaughter, Lisa, never got tired of hearing the stories of Mary and her 3 daughters riding the rails across America.
In 1961, Mary and her family settled down in Harrisburg, PA, where she started a long and successful career in the banking industry, working at Dauphin Deposit and Commerce Bank as an auditor. In 1976, Bill and Mary built a home in Camp Hill, PA. They continued to travel for many years after, including a memorable tour of Alaska in the late 1970s. After Bill’s untimely death, Mary continued to travel on her own, visiting family in Alaska, Oregon, California and Colorado.
Never one to sit still, Mary worked part time at Boscov’s for many years. However, as much as she enjoyed her time in Men’s Furnishings, the work took a back seat to her busy social schedule that revolved mainly around golfing with “the ladies.” Mary was also a long-time member of Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Camp Hill, PA, where she enjoyed attending church gatherings and Saturday evening mass with her friends. In her later years, she was a fierce competitor in computer solitaire and could solve even the most difficult crossword puzzles in no time flat.
Mary is survived by her daughters, Kathryn (Raymond) Mann of Seattle, WA, and Susan (Alan) Rader of Dauphin, PA, as well as her granddaughter, Lisa (Chris) Woodley, and two great-grandchildren, Kara and Kristen Woodley of Vashon, WA.
She was preceded in death by her daughter, Audrey; her husband, Bill; and her grandson, Aaron Mann, as well as her siblings, Leonard, Helen Irene, and Stephen Jr.
A mass of Christian burial will be held at 1:30 P.M. on Wednesday, December 29, 2021 at the Church of the Good Shepherd, 3435 E. Trindle Rd., Camp Hill, PA 17011, with Rev. Neil S. Sullivan as Celebrant. A visitation with Mary's family will be held in the church on Wednesday from 12:30 P.M. until the start of the mass. All who attend the services are asked to please wear a face covering/mask.
In lieu of flowers, please consider contributing to the Church of the Good Shepherd.