FlawlessWalrus

My Nana

January 7th, 2010

Mary Patricia SZYMANSKI (Flaherty)

Mary Patricia (Flaherty) Szymanski (“Nana-Mary- Mom”), beloved mother and grandmother, passed away peacefully in her home, surrounded by family, at the age of 91 on Monday (January 4, 2010). Born in Hartford, Connecticut on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, 1918, Mary was the daughter of Irish immigrants, Agnes Bridget (O’Malley) Flaherty and Morgan Flaherty from the counties of Galway and Kerry, respectively. Mary attended Hartford Public High School (Class of 1936) and Hartford Secretarial School. She graduated from both with honors. Mary and Stanley E. Szymanski were married on April 11, 1942 in Hartford. She held clerical positions at Mount Sinai Hospital and Traveler’s Insurance Company, from which she retired at age 63. As an independent and active woman, even after retiring and losing her husband, Mary first earned a driver’s license at the age of 65! One of the most memorable experiences of her life was visiting her parents’ homeland of Ireland in 1990, where she was finally able to meet and spend time with many of her O’Malley relatives. She lived in Connecticut her entire life and was a resident of Hartford, Bloomfield and Enfield before settling in the Glen Oaks condominiums in Newington in 1978. Mary was an involved member of and volunteer for the Newington Senior Center. She was predeceased by her husband Stanley in 1981; and her sister Margaret E. Stomsky. Her spirit will live on through her five children and their spouses, Sandra S. Beernaert and her husband Michael of Fairfield, Barbara J. Szymanski of Newington, her caregiver, with whom she shared her home, Joyce S. Russell and her husband Glenn of East Hartford, Stanley J. Szymanski of Agawam, MA and his fiancée Deborah McGeown, and Richard M. Stomsky and his wife Jacqueline of Enfield; as well as her five grandchildren, Matthew J. Beernaert, Daniel G. Russell, Eve M. Russell, Adam J. Szymanski and Kailin M. Szymanski. Family and friends may call at the Rose Hill Funeral Home, 580 Elm Street, Rocky Hill on Friday, Jan. 8 from 5 to 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mary’s name to Incarnation Church/Butterfly Garden, 544 Prospect Street, Wethersfield, CT 06109. A Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, Jan. 9 at 12 Noon at the Church of the Incarnation, 544 Prospect Street, Wethersfield. Burial will be private and at the convenience of the family; however, anyone who would like to attend the Mass is asked to meet directly at the church on Saturday.