Tributes

Mary C. Janosko went to be with our Lord on April 8, 2017, in San Antonio, TX. Mary was born in Clairton, Pennsylvania, to parents, Lawrence and Catherine Kojundzic, who both immigrated from Croatia. Mary was honored for her win of a major spelling bee at Clairton High School and was known for her spelling acumen through her entire life. She graduated from Clairton High School and shortly thereafter began working at the US Steel Clairton Coke Works as the lead pool secretary and later worked for Bob Bright as his lead aid. While attending a St. Clair Catholic Church mixer, Mary met a handsome young man named Gerald “Jerry” Janosko and they would marry on June 23, 1956. Mary and Jerry were blessed with a family; first with son, Jeffrey, and later with daughter, Lori. Subsequently, Mary and her family moved to Willard, Ohio, as Jerry accepted a job as an elementary school principal. In addition to raising two children and lovingly caring for her mother Catherine, Mary found time to be an active member of the North Central Ohio community as she was the “story lady” at the Willard Memorial Library, served on the Willard Bloodmobile, was active with the Rosary Altar Society at St. Francis Church, and wrote a column for the Willard Times Junction entitled “Mary J’s Kitchen." After Jerry’s retirement from the Willard Public Schools, Mary and Jerry enjoyed traveling to many different parts of the country including California, Hawaii, Maine, Florida, Louisiana, Arizona and Texas as well as abroad. Mary never met a stranger and she was delighted by each new friend and enjoyed everyday to the fullest. Unfortunately in early 2000, Mary suffered a massive stroke which left her partially paralyzed. Due to some excellent healthcare work from the Willard Area Hospital and the Toledo Clinic, Mary fully recovered and she and Jerry moved to San Antonio, Texas, to be near their granddaughter Catherine. Mary (MaMaw) loved and adored her granddaughter Catherine as she attended her school choir concerts, shared secrets, giggled, painted their nails to match, cooked stuffed cabbage and spaghetti and meatballs, as well as other family favorites together. Catherine and her MaMaw shared a secret love and a secret language. They were often heard exchanging their favorite catch phrase, I love you a bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck. Mom bravely battled Alzheimer’s for years which was a testament to her tenacity and love for her family who she always held dear to her heart. Her husband Jerry by her side throughout the entire journey, lovingly tending to her every wish and need without fail. This is a true love; a love that spanned the ages. Mary and her family would like to personally thank Carol Love, Ashely Dramis, Above and Beyond Home Care, Altus Hospice and especially BiBi, Josef, Tiki, Samantha, and Carl at Nancy's Carnation Group Home...Without you all, our journey with mom through the years would have never been this beautiful. Mary is survived by her loving husband, Jerry, daughter, Lori, son Jeff and daughter-in-law Martha, and granddaughter Catherine, her niece Nancy Smider (Kunzic) and nephew Jack Kunzic, and sister-in-law Gayle Maxwell and brother-in-law Charles Maxwell. She was proceeded in death by brother, John Kunzic and his wife Alice, her niece Maureen Kunzic and her parents Lawrence and Catherine Kojundzic. Visitation will be held at Mission Park Funeral Chapels North 3401 Cherry Ridge, San Antonio, TX, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 19, 2017 with a Rosary to begin at 7:00 p.m. Procession will depart from Prince of Peace Catholic Church following mass at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, April 20, 2017. Interment to follow at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery at 1:30 pm. Friends are invited to sign in on the missionparks.com website under the tributes section. Gerald and the family ask that "in lieu of flowers, donations be made in the name of Mary C Janosko to Alzheimer's Research via website http://www.alzheimersresearchfoundation.com/make-a-donation/. Or checks can mailed to the ALZHEIMER’S RESEARCH FOUNDATION, 3152 Little Road, Suite 146, Trinity, Florida 34655

Tributes

Mary Catherine Janosko

August 30, 1926 - April 8, 2017