Obituary of Mary Rose Szympruch

Mary Rose Bernatowicz Szympruch died unexpectedly on 2/19/2019 at St. Vincent Hospital. Mary was born February 6, 1951 in Erie, PA the daughter of the late Jean Steger McKee and Francis Bernatowicz. She graduated in 1969 from St. Benedicts High School.  She worked at Bliley Electric, St. Vincent Health Center and Pulmonary Rehabilitation.

In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her step-father, Paul McKee and brother, Francis Bernatowicz.  She is survived by her beloved husband of 46 years James E. Szympruch who has dedicated his life to taking care of her and his family. Her brother Dr. Thomas (Anne) Bernatowicz; three children, Jamie (Joseph) Snider, Bill (Jen) Szympruch and Sarah (Mark) Kuhn. She is also survived by six grandchildren.  Drew and Emily Hulings, Victoria and Aaron Snider, Gabby Kuhn. and Angelina Corder

These are just the statistics of what she did and who she is survived by. They don’t tell you who she was, she was intelligent, strong, a gifted writer, painter and beautiful singer.  She found beauty in the world around her. Nothing gave her more joy than listening to music with the windows open on a warm summer day. She loved picnics and campfires and reality tv. She loved her family ferociously and was there for them no matter what.  Her love for her husband was palpable by anyone who knew her, they were never apart. Even though she struggled with health issues, she never gave up. Her life truly began the day her first grandchild Drew was born. Her grandchildren were the greatest joy of her life. She left her job to stay home and care for them. 

She was a cherished and loyal friend.  She went out of her way to take care of others, by sending a card, email or phone call. She was thoughtful beyond measure and she will be greatly missed by her family and anyone who had the good fortune of meeting her or making her acquaintance. 

Memorials can be made to the National Kidney Foundation 30 East 33^rd St. New York, NY 10016.   

Friends may call at the Dusckas-Martin Funeral Home & Crematory Inc. 4216 Sterrettania Rd., on Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 PM and are invited to a prayer service there on Saturday afternoon at 12:15 PM followed by a 1:00 PM Funeral Mass at St. George Catholic Church.  Entombment will follow in Gate of Heaven Cemetery.