Her formidable years were on the south side of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, attending both St. Gerards and Queen of Peace catholic grade schools. She attended and graduated from Pulaski High School which was less than two blocks from her home. While in high school she met William (Bill) Bogenski. They were not only high school sweethearts but also went on to marry on October 19, 1963 at Queen of Peace church. Nearly 59 wonderful years of marriage.
After high school Mary began her working career in the secretary pool of Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance company. Quickly she was promoted to the private secretary of a company vice president which she maintained until birth of her first son Steven in 1967. Thereafter she became a stay at home mom and homemaker for Bill and Steve. After a few years Mary returned to the work force as an executive secretary/administrative assistant to financially related companies.
In January 1976 her other son Christopher, Chris was born. Again Mary remained at home, this time to care for Chris who was born with type 1 diabetes. With Mary’s care and Chris reaching school age Mary once again went back to work, again in the financial arena.
Mary is blessed with sons Steven (Charlotte) and Christopher (Deceased) (Kelly) and six wonderful grandchildren, Kristina, Adam, Alison, Cole, Max and Paige. She is also survived by three sisters, Patricia Hess (Richard) (Deceased) JoAnne Gostomski (Ronald) (Deceased) and Sally Michalak (Michael). She is also survived nieces, nephews numerous friends and other relatives,
Mary and Bill lived on the south side of Milwaukee during their early years of marriage. She also acted as a single parent when Bill was away in the U.S. Army. A few years after Chris’ birth the family moved to New Berlin, Wisconsin a western suburb of Milwaukee. At that point Mary was not only a working mom but also active in her children’s activities, helping in numerous positions at Holy Apostles church in New Berlin, being a cub scout den mother as well as volunteering in other civic and religious causes.
In 1985 Bill accepted a new job at a suburban Chicago community bank. Mary, Steve and Chris joined him in a move to Wheeling, Illinois. There, Mary continued her mother/homemaker and professional life. Mary once again went back to work to become an executive secretary for a division of Prudential Insurance Company. Shortly after the move to Illinois Steve started college and the household was down one member, quite a shock! Mary also was active at our new church as well as being involved in many of Chris’ activities. The family joined Rolling Green Country in suburban Arlington Heights, Illinois. There she not only enjoyed the game of golf but also the wonderful friends she made. She also loved to bowl, and not too bad at it either, averaging well over 180. She won numerous league and individual tournaments as well. Her high game was a 279, a 10 pin in the 6th frame from a perfect game
As time marched on and Chris entered high school the sense of an empty nest and forthcoming retirements became an agenda item.
In 2003 after making visits to Texas, Florida, North and South Carolina Mary and Bill decided to purchase their winter retirement residence in Sun City Grand, Surprise, Arizona. For a couple of years, before Bill retired Mary spent the winters in Surprise. Bill would take occasional long weekends to visit and try to finish Mary’s to do lists.
In 2005 Mary and Bill moved from Wheeling to another Sun City facility this time in Huntley, Illinois. There they enjoyed the late spring thru mid fall seasons and the balance of the years in Arizona, true “Snowbirds”. They continued that adventure until the fall of 2020 when they sold Huntley and became full time Arizonians.
Mary continued to be active in both communities, golfing primarily in the ladies 9 hole leagues, making Bill really work at competing with her when they played. She also joined the ladies putting group, as usual helping out in any way to make certain the events went off without a hitch. Recently she was elected as Vice President of the couples putting league .
Mary and Bill traveled extensively, numerous cruises in the Caribbean, trips to Europe including Italy, Switzerland, Ireland and others. They took a long trip to Australia with her sister Pat and husband Dick. She’s visited 49 of our 50 states, Vermont being the only exception. For Mary and Bill’s 50th wedding anniversary they took the entire family to Maui to celebrate the event. It was one of her most favorite trips, not only the scenery but because she had her family with her. Her only complaint of the trip was the 13 hour bus ride on the Road to Hana, beautiful but way too long!
About 5 years ago Mary was diagnosed with MDS, a precursor to leukemia. Over these last 5 years she battled fearlessly, never once complaining about her illness nor letting anyone know of her discomfort. In late 2020 a bone marrow biopsy showed that the disease had metastasized to leukemia. Over the past two years she’s undergone weekly doctor trips, platelet and blood infusions as well as chemo treatments, again never complaining, always upbeat. On September 16th she enter Del Webb Hospital, after a few days of intensive medical help the doctors recommended she enter a hospice environment. Steve arrived the following Thursday nite. After further discussions with Mary, she told us she wanted to come home.
Mary came home as promised on Sunday September 25th. Late that evening Mary passed away peacefully and pain free in her sleep. She’s now in heaver with her son Chris’ who passed away on September 27, 2018 as a result of his diabetic condition. They’re holding hands looking down on their family, giving us their love, inspiration and paving a road to be with them one day.
Mary we love you, you’ve meant so much to so many people, Bill, Steve and all your loving family. You will always be loved and terribly missed by all.
God have mercy on your sole, rest in peace my sweetheart.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.surprisefuneralcare.com for the BOGENSKI family.
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