SZAFRAN

Mary J. Szafran passed away on April 7, 2020 at the age of 95.  She was born in Buffalo, New York to Anthony and Katherine Zielinski (Kozaniewska).  Both of her parents were Polish immigrants who met and married in Buffalo.  Mary was one of seven children.  The Zielinski family belonged to the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul church where she married U.S. Army Tech Sgt. Edward J. Szafran.  She died on the day that would have been their seventy-fifth anniversary.

Mary and Edward met while he was on assignment in Buffalo. To the day of her passing she kept a letter he had written to his parents in Philadelphia about a wonderful girl he met and was bringing home for them to meet.  After they married, they were living in Philadelphia when they had their first son Edward Jr. (Jack).  Later, dad was reassigned to Hampton, Virginia where their second son, Paul was born.  After two years the family returned to Philadelphia as their permanent residence.

Mary absolutely loved being a mom.  She was dedicated right through her retirement always gently sharing her sound advice.  As the younger son with countless fond memories, she somehow managed to never miss a beat taking care of two boys and keeping the household organized, well-nourished and spiritually fed.  We belonged to Holy Child parish where Jack & Paul attended school and where she was always active.

Mary never drove but she was an incredible walker.  Even through her late eighties, she only took the trolley or subway if her destination was more than a twenty minute walk.  Family was always important to mom but trips to see her mom & siblings in Buffalo could only be made twice a year.  The ten hour drive was an experience of anticipation and endurance.  And she cherished every visit.

There is so much in life that Mary enjoyed and delighted in sharing.  She would often humbly talk about how little she knew but then could express a loving wisdom that could penetrated your soul.  And her joy and laugh was ever present.  Mary never complained for herself.  She loved music and listening to commercial and Christian talk radio programs. Whatever difficult circumstance she had to endure, her response was "I'm alright".  Indeed she was.

In 2006 Mary lost both her husband and son Jack.  She lived alone until moving to the St. John Neumann Center in 2015.  While she had a few good neighborhood friends, the transition to having many new relationships with the residents and staff at the senior home enriched her life.  We're so thankful for the roommate and friends she had there including all the nurses and caretakers.  Lovely folks…God bless them all.

Mary is preceded in death by her husband Ed, son Jack, brothers John, Thomas, Charles & Tony.  She is survived by her son Paul, sisters Theresa & Helen, nephews John, Michael & Chris, nieces Alison & Sara, and granddaughters Quenna & Chandre.

The dark cloud of the Covid-19 virus that took her life has prevented our small family from having a funeral at this time.  We anticipate making arrangements for a memorial mass and gathering with her sisters in Buffalo to celebrate Mary's life later this year.