Mary was born on April 20, 1928, to the late Francis and Josephine Zalewski in Chelsea, MA.   She attended Catholic schools through eighth grade and matriculated from Chelsea (MA) High School in 1946.  Growing up, Mary was active in church activities at St. Stanislaus Roman Catholic Church.  She often told stories of Friday night teen gatherings where one pizza and one teabag fed multitudes.  An extrovert, Mary had many interests and jobs.  She served as President of the Boston Krakowiak Dance Group, which entertained throughout New England, was Financial Secretary of the Massachusetts Business and Professional Women's Club, CYO Director at St. Stanislaus Church, and was a member of the International Institute of Boston.  Mary worked for a caterer, in a dress shop and at an ice cream parlor.

She had many suitors (and three other marriage proposals) before meeting the love of her life, Richard.  They wedded in 1959 and after a two month honeymoon trip to Europe settled in the house in Wethersfield where Mary lived for almost 65 years.

As a newcomer to Hartford, Mary joined the Polish Junior League, serving as Bal Minuet chairman twice.  The lasting friendships she made there spanned generations and she referred to these women as her 'sisters.'

Mary was active in her children's lives as room mom, Girl Scout leader, den mother, and library volunteer.  When her children were older Mary returned to the workforce.  She worked for 15 years as a teller for Hartford National Bank at 60 Washington Street.  It was the perfect job for her as she got to know first-hand the movers and shakers of Hartford's political and legal elite.

Mary was a communicant at the Church of the Incarnation in Wethersfield where she was a member of the Women's Club.  She also worshiped at SS Cyril and Methodius Church in Hartford where she served as a Eucharistic Minister and was a member of the Ladies Guild.  Until recently, Mary was a member of the Polish Democratic Club and the Polish Cultural Club.

Mary loved traveling with her husband when they became empty nesters, visiting Poland, Ireland and Austria.  But the highlight of her travels was accompanying her daughter and older grandchildren to Egypt and Israel.  She walked the ancient trails of the Pharaohs and Jesus which she had read about when she was a schoolgirl.

Ever the proper Bostonian, Mary's legacy will be that there's no substitute for the importance of good manners and appropriate dress—making sure to have her hair done every week and be well dressed no matter the outing.

Mary frequently commented that her mother was a miracle worker, turning their meager rations into a feast for themselves and neighbors.  While Mary worked hard to make sure her life was easier and more prosperous than her youth, she brought the gift of hospitality from her youth to family and friends.  Even at the end of her life, breaking bread with loved ones sustained her.

She valued most her three treasured children and six precious grandchildren who survive her: Joan Sitnik (Michael) Walsh of Vienna, VA, Richard Laurence (Joyce) Sitnik of Wethersfield, Louis Paul (Mary) Sitnik of Gaithersburg, MD, Alexandra C. Walsh (Dr. Ben Nguyen) of Brooklyn NY, Jacob M. Walsh of Rockford IL, Bryan R. Sitnik of Bolton CT, Kara M. Sitnik of Boston MA, Diana L. Sitnik of Wethersfield, and Micaela M. Walsh of Blacksburg VA.  Also, mourning her death is sister-in-law Avis Zalewski of Venice CA, four nieces and one nephew. The family is extremely grateful to Barbara Wroblewski, an angel who came into Mary's life in 2015, for taking stellar care of Mary these last eight years and most especially during her last months.

Mary was predeceased by her beloved husband, Richard, sisters Hedwig Zalewska, Julia Dziodzio, Frances Dufresne, and Gladys Chodkowski, brothers Edward Zalewski and Felix Zalewski, sisters-in-law, Josephine Sarna, Helen Sitnik, Mae Sitnik, and Alice Zalewska, brothers-in-laws Eagan Dziodzio, Paul Dufresne, Mike Chodkowski, Ted Sarna, Edward Sitnik, and Zygmunt Sitnik, and nephew Richard Zalewski.

Mary lived a good life with no regrets.  Her dying wish is that we remember to be kind to one another.  In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to the Church of the Incarnation in Wethersfield, S.S. Cyril and Methodius Church in Hartford, or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Viewing: Sunday August 13, from 4PM-7PM at the Dillon Baxter Funeral Home, 1276 Berlin Turnpike, Wethersfield, CT.  A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Monday August 14, at 10 AM at SS Cyril and Methodius Church, 55 Charter Oak Blvd, Hartford, CT.  To share a memory of Mary, please visit www.dillonbaxter.com and click View/ Sign Guestbook.