Obituary

Mary A. Koziar Smilek, 90 of Tamaqui Drive, Vanport, passed away Monday January 7 in Presbyterian Hospital, Pittsburgh. She had been a resident of Vanport since 1950. Mary was born January 1, 1923 in Chewton, PA and was the daughter of the late Elias and Anna Gorzkoswski Koziar. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Joseph P. Smilek, 8 brothers, Theodore, George, John, Francis, Paul, Joseph and Leo Koziar and Steve Sewzcak and a sister, Angela (Nellie) Smilek.

A devout Catholic, Mary was a member of Saints Peter and Paul Roman Catholic Church, Beaver for 62 years, and a member of the Keen Age Club and Marian Guild of the Church. She had worked at Kaufmann’s Department, retiring after more than 25 years, was an avid bowler and enjoyed playing cards every week with her friends and family.

She is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Paul ‘Mike’ and Janet Smilek, Ohioville Boro, a granddaughter and her husband, Melissa and Matthew Rabassi, Raccoon Township, a great-granddaughter, Rhiannon Rabassi, 4 sisters, Leona Parascenzo Ann Koziar, Ellwood City and Margaret Bacon and Carolyn Bacon White, Massachusets, a dear brother-in-law, Marino Parascenzo, 2 sisters-in-law, Pat Koziar and Mary Sewzcak, Mary leaves behind numerous nieces and nephews who meant much to her, including, nieces, Barb Strati, Elaine Koziar Jordan, Jo Ann Smilek, and Marina Parascenzo-Brush, and a nephew, David Smilek . Her family was her joy.

Friends were received Friday 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 PM in the Todd Funeral Home, 340 Third Street, Beaver and a Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Saturday at 10 AM in SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Beaver. Interment was in Beaver Cemetery.