Obituary of Mary M. Podkowka

Mary M. Podkowka, age 95, of Rome, passed away peacefully, on January 4, 2015, at Lutheran Care, where she had been a resident for over a year. She was born July 14, 1919, in the Town of Ava, a daughter of the late Matthew and Aniela Kniaz Mokrzycki. She graduated from Boonville High School in 1936 and from Onondaga Business School in 1937. On June 29, 1940, she married Thomas A. Podkowka at St. Joseph's Church in Boonville. Together they were blessed with a 50 year union until Thomas passed away on August 10, 1990. Mary was a communicant of Transfiguration Church. She served as past president of the Mother's Club of Transfiguration School and served on the Parish Council of Transfiguration Church. Mary worked at the former RADC at Griffiss Air Force Base until her retirement in 1979. During her retirement, she enjoyed gardening in her flower garden, reading, putting together picture puzzles and crocheting. She crocheted over 250 afghans that were donated and distributed to various nursing homes and hospitals in the area. Surviving are her daughter and son in law, Helen and Stewart Richards of Rome; four grandchildren, James MacDonald of Livonia, MI, Karen MacDonald of Nashville, TN, William and Leah Richards of Blossvale, NY, and Mary and Ernest Johnson of Sauquoit, NY; four great grandchildren, Jeffrey and Jason Richards of Blossvale, NY, and Cassandra and Connor Johnson of Sauquoit, NY; and a son in law, Richard MacDonald of Hull, MA. She was predeceased by a daughter, Theresa MacDonald, and two brothers, Francis and Tadeusz Mokrzycki. The family wishes to extend their heartfelt thanks and gratitude to the Rev. Paul F. Angelicchio, the staff of the Applewood Unit at Lutheran Care, and to her Hospice Nurse, Crystal. Funeral services will be held Friday at 10:15 AM from the Barry Funeral Home, 807 W. Chestnut Street, and a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM, at the Church of the Transfiguration, with Rev. Paul F. Angelicchio, officiating. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery. Relatives and friends may call at the funeral home, Thursday 4 to 7 PM. Donations may be given to Lutheran Care, Applewood Unit, 108-110 Utica Road, Clinton, NY 13323; Hospice and Palliative Care, 4277 Middle Settlement Rd, New Hartford, NY 13413, or Transfiguration Church Memorial Fund.