Mary A. Lastowka
August 21, 1918 – August 28, 2023
“A Wonderful Life”
Mary Lastowka, who graced our lives and this world for 105 years, died August 28, 2023, at her residence in Glen Mills, Pennsylvania. Mary was a force of good which you sensed from the very moment you met her. The goodness she radiated could be felt. Mary was an example of how to live a life with joy, love, and grace through good times and bad.
Mary was born on August 21, 1918, to Thomas and Mary O’Malley in Chester, PA. She was raised on West 10th Street along with her sisters Catherine and Noreen, and brothers Thomas, James, and John in Resurrection of Our Lord parish, in a neighborhood known as Little Ireland. Aunts, uncles, and cousins were her neighbors; lively conversation, laughter, and music – jigs, reels, and later polkas – were the soundtrack of her life.
Mary met Joseph Lastowka at a dance at St. Hedwig’s Church. She was a tall, dark haired, Irish beauty with grace, good humor, sparkling blue eyes, an easy laugh, and an inviting smile. Joe was tall, strong, adventuresome, hard working and Polish. Mary’s cousin who knew Joe from high school vouched to Mary’s parents that Joe was “a great guy.” Truer words were never spoken and nothing more needed to be said. Mary and Joe were married in 1940 and honeymooned in Atlantic City. Vintage black and white photographs in family albums reflect their love, companionship, confidence, and sense of style, as well their fun and outgoing spirit.
Mary was the loving mother to seven children – Joe, Marty, Tom, Marie, Jim, Jack, and Anne. Although collectively her seven children kept her very busy, Mary devoted time and care with each of themproviding nurture, guidance, and support in a way that allowed each to develop their individual personalities and talents, live their own lives, and raise their own families. Mary took great pride in each child’s accomplishments and particularly in the fact that she and Joe were able to provide college education for all seven children. The much too early deaths of sons Marty and Jack caused Mary the deepest pain that only a mother would know. At her 105th Birthday party Mary told her sister Noreen that she thought of Marty and Jack every day. Nevertheless, Mary continued to fully live in the present, enjoying the presence of all those blessed to be able to continue to be with her.
Mary was active in Resurrection parish’s Mothers Guild and Chester’s Irish Club. Without a doubt, however, what she enjoyed the most was the “Birthday Club” gatherings of her circle of West End lady friends that for seven decades gathered at each other’s homes, as well as Irish pubs, to celebrate their birthdays, even if busy family schedules required an August birthday to be celebrated in November. The fun and laughter that erupted during Birthday Club get togethers is legendary. As one much younger cousin wrote in her 105th Birthday card to Mom, “I’m not sure what you all were doing in those meetings, but it sure sounded like fun.”
Mary and Joe celebrated 40 years of marriage before Joe’s passing in 1981. Over the next 42 years Mary demonstrated her uncommon strength and familial leadership. Her home in Wallingford PA was the epicenter of family gatherings at Easter, Christmas, Mothers Days, birthdays and countless other occasions including many “Bringing In The Wren” celebrations on December 26, St. Stephen’s Day. As the “Lady of the House” Mary would happily “rise up” and accept the toasts from the Wren Boys and Girls. No one who entered Mary’s home ever left hungry, thirsty, or without a bag or pocketful of candies for the trip home.
After living on her own for 35 years, Mary moved into assisted living at the age of 97. At Glen Mills Senior Living Mary fully embraced the opportunity to make new friendships, develop new talents, sing more songs, answer news quizzes and trivia contests, solve puzzles, play bingo, and, most importantly, find new players who shared her love of pinochle and Sevens. Mary was one half of what surely was the only pair of 105 year old pinochle partners. No penny-ante pot was too small for Mary to try her best to win. She did so often and proudly displayed her baggies of coin and candy winnings.
As a nephew of Mary has written in tribute, “The likes of Mary Lastowka will never be seen again. Countless cousins, nieces and nephews share her spirit, humor, intellect, faith, and love of community, family, and friends.” As a great granddaughter has written, “Being one of your many descendants is a blessing.You are a blessing. Being graced with your love and presence was a blessing.” As a friend from afar observed, “The world is a little askew knowing that Mary is no longer in it.” Another wrote, “Mary impacted far more people than any one of us knows.” Each of these comments is so very true.
The family of Mary Lastowka is grateful for the support and care provided to Mary by Glen Mills Senior Living, Compassus Hospice Care, and St. John Chrysostom Parish.
Mary A. Lastowka (née O’Malley) of Glen Mills, formerly of Chester and Wallingford, age 105 years, died August 28, 2023, widow of Joseph E. Lastowka, survived by sons Joseph, Thomas, and James Lastowka, daughters Marie Freeman and Anne Danilak, sister Noreen McGlinchey, daughters-in-law Virginia, Linda, and Sandra Lastowka and Sandra Pugh, and sons-in-law Robert Freeman and Stephen Danilak. Predeceased by parents Thomas and Mary O’Malley, sons Martin and John Lastowka, sister Catherine Phillips, brothers Thomas, James and John O’Malley, and daughter-in-law Frances Lastowka. Mary was blessed with 16 grandchildren: Joseph and Gregory; Karen, Lynda, Deborah, and Andrew; Anthony and Mary; Jonathan; Conor, Carey, and Austin; Mary and Catherine; Stephen and Emily; and 11 great grandchildren: Adam and Daniel; Owen and Everett; Drew and Alexandria; Alyssa, Ava, and Gabriel; Violet and Henry.
Visitation Friday September 1, 9:30 a.m.to 10:45 at St. John Chrysostom Church 617 S. Providence Rd. Wallingford, PA, Mass 11:00 a.m. Burial following at SS Peter & Paul Cemetery, Springfield, PA.
For those who wish to view a recording of the services, the link below can be used for access.
https://us06web.zoom.us/rec/share/f_7cRkdpa1aBAfhMMPtUDNHMqwRvQ8GzbieL5vZSJJgLvGk-GbCpD2YyE1hSyGR9.w7J5RtOdwTuUXddi
passcode: QK+Uj3NJ
August 21, 1918 – August 28, 2023
“A Wonderful Life”
Mary Lastowka, who graced our lives and this world for 105 years, died August 28, 2023, at her residence in Glen Mills, Pennsylvania. Mary was a force of good which you sensed from the very moment you met her. The goodness she radiated could be felt. Mary was an example of how to live a life with joy, love, and grace through good times and bad.
Mary was born on August 21, 1918, to Thomas and Mary O’Malley in Chester, PA. She was raised on West 10th Street along with her sisters Catherine and Noreen, and brothers Thomas, James, and John in Resurrection of Our Lord parish, in a neighborhood known as Little Ireland. Aunts, uncles, and cousins were her neighbors; lively conversation, laughter, and music – jigs, reels, and later polkas – were the soundtrack of her life.
Mary met Joseph Lastowka at a dance at St. Hedwig’s Church. She was a tall, dark haired, Irish beauty with grace, good humor, sparkling blue eyes, an easy laugh, and an inviting smile. Joe was tall, strong, adventuresome, hard working and Polish. Mary’s cousin who knew Joe from high school vouched to Mary’s parents that Joe was “a great guy.” Truer words were never spoken and nothing more needed to be said. Mary and Joe were married in 1940 and honeymooned in Atlantic City. Vintage black and white photographs in family albums reflect their love, companionship, confidence, and sense of style, as well their fun and outgoing spirit.
Mary was the loving mother to seven children – Joe, Marty, Tom, Marie, Jim, Jack, and Anne. Although collectively her seven children kept her very busy, Mary devoted time and care with each of themproviding nurture, guidance, and support in a way that allowed each to develop their individual personalities and talents, live their own lives, and raise their own families. Mary took great pride in each child’s accomplishments and particularly in the fact that she and Joe were able to provide college education for all seven children. The much too early deaths of sons Marty and Jack caused Mary the deepest pain that only a mother would know. At her 105th Birthday party Mary told her sister Noreen that she thought of Marty and Jack every day. Nevertheless, Mary continued to fully live in the present, enjoying the presence of all those blessed to be able to continue to be with her.
Mary was active in Resurrection parish’s Mothers Guild and Chester’s Irish Club. Without a doubt, however, what she enjoyed the most was the “Birthday Club” gatherings of her circle of West End lady friends that for seven decades gathered at each other’s homes, as well as Irish pubs, to celebrate their birthdays, even if busy family schedules required an August birthday to be celebrated in November. The fun and laughter that erupted during Birthday Club get togethers is legendary. As one much younger cousin wrote in her 105th Birthday card to Mom, “I’m not sure what you all were doing in those meetings, but it sure sounded like fun.”
Mary and Joe celebrated 40 years of marriage before Joe’s passing in 1981. Over the next 42 years Mary demonstrated her uncommon strength and familial leadership. Her home in Wallingford PA was the epicenter of family gatherings at Easter, Christmas, Mothers Days, birthdays and countless other occasions including many “Bringing In The Wren” celebrations on December 26, St. Stephen’s Day. As the “Lady of the House” Mary would happily “rise up” and accept the toasts from the Wren Boys and Girls. No one who entered Mary’s home ever left hungry, thirsty, or without a bag or pocketful of candies for the trip home.
After living on her own for 35 years, Mary moved into assisted living at the age of 97. At Glen Mills Senior Living Mary fully embraced the opportunity to make new friendships, develop new talents, sing more songs, answer news quizzes and trivia contests, solve puzzles, play bingo, and, most importantly, find new players who shared her love of pinochle and Sevens. Mary was one half of what surely was the only pair of 105 year old pinochle partners. No penny-ante pot was too small for Mary to try her best to win. She did so often and proudly displayed her baggies of coin and candy winnings.
As a nephew of Mary has written in tribute, “The likes of Mary Lastowka will never be seen again. Countless cousins, nieces and nephews share her spirit, humor, intellect, faith, and love of community, family, and friends.” As a great granddaughter has written, “Being one of your many descendants is a blessing.You are a blessing. Being graced with your love and presence was a blessing.” As a friend from afar observed, “The world is a little askew knowing that Mary is no longer in it.” Another wrote, “Mary impacted far more people than any one of us knows.” Each of these comments is so very true.
The family of Mary Lastowka is grateful for the support and care provided to Mary by Glen Mills Senior Living, Compassus Hospice Care, and St. John Chrysostom Parish.
Mary A. Lastowka (née O’Malley) of Glen Mills, formerly of Chester and Wallingford, age 105 years, died August 28, 2023, widow of Joseph E. Lastowka, survived by sons Joseph, Thomas, and James Lastowka, daughters Marie Freeman and Anne Danilak, sister Noreen McGlinchey, daughters-in-law Virginia, Linda, and Sandra Lastowka and Sandra Pugh, and sons-in-law Robert Freeman and Stephen Danilak. Predeceased by parents Thomas and Mary O’Malley, sons Martin and John Lastowka, sister Catherine Phillips, brothers Thomas, James and John O’Malley, and daughter-in-law Frances Lastowka. Mary was blessed with 16 grandchildren: Joseph and Gregory; Karen, Lynda, Deborah, and Andrew; Anthony and Mary; Jonathan; Conor, Carey, and Austin; Mary and Catherine; Stephen and Emily; and 11 great grandchildren: Adam and Daniel; Owen and Everett; Drew and Alexandria; Alyssa, Ava, and Gabriel; Violet and Henry.
Visitation Friday September 1, 9:30 a.m.to 10:45 at St. John Chrysostom Church 617 S. Providence Rd. Wallingford, PA, Mass 11:00 a.m. Burial following at SS Peter & Paul Cemetery, Springfield, PA.
For those who wish to view a recording of the services, the link below can be used for access.
https://us06web.zoom.us/rec/share/f_7cRkdpa1aBAfhMMPtUDNHMqwRvQ8GzbieL5vZSJJgLvGk-GbCpD2YyE1hSyGR9.w7J5RtOdwTuUXddi
passcode: QK+Uj3NJ