Mary Kathryn (Zankowski) Wierzbicki

May 11, 1916 - October 2, 2013

Mom went to heaven on the wings of angels on October 2, in the home of her eldest daughter, Josephine Barnes (husband, Kim). She was 97 years young. Mary was born in Syracuse, New York on May 11, 1916 to Anthony and Marianne Zankowski. She was the youngest of 14 children. Mary was a wonderful, loving, giving person. When she was able, she enjoyed playing bingo at her favorite place, the Solvay Tigers Hall, as well as the Polish Home. She also enjoyed her trips to the casino with her youngest daughter, Nancy, and visiting with Ed, Karen and Emily in South Carolina. The priests and members of the Sacred Heart Basilica will remember her for her lovingly made chrusciki and other baked goods for the various church functions. Mom was proud of her Polish heritage and enjoyed cooking the dishes of Poland, and was thrilled when a Polish Pope was elected. Mom's home reflected her spirituality. Mom went to work when her youngest was in school. She enjoyed her work in the kitchen of Raphael's Restaurant for 18 years. Our Mom was preceeded in death by our dad, Joseph; 13 brothers and sisters; grandson, Roger Yager; and Walter Coogan (Nancy Wierzbicki). Those of us who will mourn Mom are Josephine Barnes and husband, Kim of Seattle, WA, Dorothy Fonehouse and husband, Dennis of Cicero, NY, Frank Wierzbicki of Seattle, WA, Janet Walters of Tampa, FL, Nancy Wierzbicki of Warners, NY, Edward Wierzbicki and wife, Karen of Conway, SC; grandchildren, Candace Douglas of Seattle, WA, Denise Parker and husband, Robert of Seattle, WA, Joseph Wierzbicki of Solvay, NY, Francis Valentine Wierzbicki and Michele of Reno, NV, Randy Yager and wife, Debbie of Lakeland, NY, Donald Mantell of Tampa, FL, and Emily Wierzbicki of Conway, SC; great-grandchildren, Nathaniel Douglas of Seattle, WA, Cassandra Douglas of Seattle, WA, Tyler Yager of Lakeland, NY, Mitchell Parker of Seattle, WA, and Colton Wierzbicki of Reno, NV. Services: 9 a.m. Friday at the Giminski-Wysocki Funeral Home followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus at 9:30 a.m. Friends may call 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home, 1320 W. Genesee St. in Syracuse. Burial: Sacred Heart Cemetery.