Mary Koniszewski

Mary S. (Wrazen) Koniszewski passed away peacefully on July 21, 2014. Mary was born in Passaic, NJ on May 27th, 1916 to John and Frances (Kotwica) Wrazen and had just celebrated her 98th birthday. After graduating from Passaic High School, Mary worked as a waitress in Schraff’s in NYC, where she met the love of her life, Frank Koniszewski. On Sept 20th, 1941 the couple was married. Immediately following WWII and Frank’s return from war, the family moved to Wallington. As a lifelong resident of Wallington, Mary had a long history of community involvement. She had served as President of The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus PTA while her daughters attended the grade school. In July 1975, Mary was appointed to the Wallington Borough Council to fill an unexpired term, and in 1978 she was elected to a three-year council term. This was a historic event, as it was the first time a woman was elected to public office in Wallington. It was also the first time a husband and wife were both elected to serve in the same position during different terms. Mary was involved with the Health, Welfare and Aging Committee and its momentous task of seeking funds for Wallington’s proposed Community Civic Center. In 2002, the Borough of Wallington donated a permanent symbol of appreciation for the hard work they did for the community. Mary had also served as President of the Wallington Democratic Club, Municipal Chairwoman and also served on the County Committee and was a member of the Board of Health and retired from the County Clerk’s office in Hackensack. She was also an active member of the AARP and served as tour director for ten years, along with her sister, “and partner in crime,” Josephine Wacyra; she was also a member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary, Wallington Seniors Club and a parishioner of Church of The Most Sacred Heart. In 2005 she moved to Lake Hiawatha to live with her daughter Mary Ann and husband Richard. Mary was predeceased by her husband Frank in 1983. She was also predeceased by her daughter Patricia Kasica and her sisters’ Stephanie Yaworski and Josephine Wacyra. Mary is survived by her loving and devoted daughter and her husband, Mary Ann and Richard Grabiec, her sister Loretta Shagen of Warwick, NY, son in law Ted Kasica and wife Barbara of Lebanon, NJ. Mary is also survived by her grandchildren Kenneth and Sharon Kasica of Greensboro, NC, Christopher and Rosie Kasica of Edison, NJ, Jeffrey and Christina Grabiec of Branchburg, NJ, Alan and Ruth Grabiec of Midlothian, VA; her cherished six great-grandchildren, Nicole and Walter Kasica, Justine and Jeremy Grabiec, Matthew and Melissa Grabiec and many more nieces and nephews. Visiting 3-7 PM Friday, July 25th, Warner-Wozniak Funeral Service, 80 Midland Ave, Wallington, NJ. A funeral Mass will be celebrated 10 AM, Saturday, July 26th, at Church of The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, 127 Paterson Ave, Wallington, NJ. Burial will follow at St. Michael’s Cemetery in South Hackensack. To share your memories and condolences, please visit, WarnerAndWozniak.com