Obituary of Mary C. Jendrisak

Mary Catherine Jendrisak, 90, passed away peacefully in the presence of her loving family at Mount Augustine Regina Health Center, and entered Heaven on April 27, 2007. Mary, nee Stricek, was born Nov. 23, 1916, in Curwensville, Pa. She was a devout Catholic who cherished her faith and her family above all else. A mother of 12, she was a sweet, gentle soul who will be remembered for her selflessness, generosity and loving spirit. A longtime resident of Tallmadge, Mary was a gifted homemaker, gardener, cook, and seamstress. She would often listen to polkas or John Denver, her favorite music. Mary loved her flowers, especially peonies, lilacs and roses, which she always kept by her statue of the Blessed Mother. Her green thumb also extended to the family's large vegetable garden. She spent countless summer afternoons canning and freezing what was harvested, then preparing wonderful meals to feed her family. Mary knew how to stretch a pot of soup to fit any size group, mend jeans so they looked brand new, and nurse her children back to health. Learning to drive while she was in her forties enabled her to transport her children to and from Catholic schools across the Akron area. Mary's children saw her as a soft place to fall when they needed one, and she guided them in how to live honorably and responsibly. Preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, John P., in November 2004, Mary is survived by her 12 children, Cecilia (Robert) Savoy, Joanne Tomaiko, Frances (James) Giglio, Daniel (Elaine), Edward (Ann), Susan (Thomas) Smith, John (Meridee), Mary Ann (James) Smith, Michael (Denise), Cathy (John) Gorbach, William (Rochelle), and Mark (Katherine); 27 grandchildren, Catherine (James) Howell, Maryann (Raymond) Ramirez, Peter (Karen) Giglio, Brian (Denise) Savoy, Christopher (Sarah) Savoy, Anthony (Erin) Giglio, Jennifer Smith, Steven (Tracy) Jendrisak, Phillip Jendrisak, Christin (Michael) Myers, Deanna (James) Cultrona, Bethany Jendrisak, Lynn (Michael) Anto, Rachel (Edward) Dougherty, Luke (Sharon) Jendrisak, Matthew Smith, Allyson Jendrisak, Crista (Andrew) Haines, Edward Smith, Dana Gorbach, Jonathon Gorbach, Daniel Jendrisak, Sarah Smith, Andrea Jendrisak, Christy Gorbach, Mark Jendrisak, and Mitchell Jendrisak; 11 great-grandchildren, Jonathon Tomaiko, Charlotte (Jeffery) Hampton, Timothy (Channing) Chernosky, Emily Ramirez, Skylar Savoy, Emma Savoy, Ariel Jendrisak, Savannah Savoy, Jimmy Cultrona, Claire Giglio, and Lilliana Myers; and four great-great-grandchildren, Julianna Tomaiko, Jonathon Tomaiko, Joshua Hampton, and Kailei Chernosky. Mary is also survived by her siblings, Joanne Veltri, Betty Bungo, Verna Vrabel, Joseph Stricek, John Stricek, Ann Lutz, and Helen Stricek; and was preceded in death by siblings Steve Stricek, Francis Stricek, Henry Stricek, and Millie Hewitt. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by the Rev. David W. Merzweiler, of St. Catherine's Church of Lake Milton, at 11 a.m. Thursday, May 3, at Mount Augustine Regina Health Center, 5232 Broadview Road, Richfield. Entombment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 2, at the Kucko-Anthony-Kertesz Funeral Home, 95 W. Waterloo Road, Akron. Friends may also call Thursday from 9 to 11 a.m. at Mount Augustine Regina Health Center, prior to Mass. The family would like to thank the staff of Regina Health Center for their compassionate and loving care of Mary, and suggests memorials be made to Regina Health Center, 5232 Broadview Road, Richfield, OH 44286. Mary's family is comforted to know that she is "Back Home Again."