Mary Elizabeth Carroll Tarka

Mary Elizabeth Tarka, 89, of Chester Township, passed away Sept. 1, 2011, at her home. Born June 5, 1922, in Fairview, she had lived in Chester Township for the past 46 years. Mary was a graduate of Mount Sinai School of Nursing in Cleveland. She started her career as a Lieutenant Nurse with the U.S. Army in World War II, where she experienced the bombing of London and met her husband, Mathew Tarka. Mary enjoyed a long career in nursing. Her experiences included private duty nursing, hospital nursing, school nursing and public health nursing. After moving to Chester Township, she became a pediatric nurse at Geauga Hospital, and then later worked as a school nurse for the Mayfield City Schools. Before retiring, she worked for Cuyahoga County as a public health nurse. In that capacity, she not only visited the sick, she also oversaw the county's sponsored prenatal classes and flu shot programs in Mayfield Village. She retired at the age of 68 from nursing, but continued to remain active in her church and community. She was involved in several ministries at St. Anselm Church. She was an avid reader, and participated in the Geauga Library Homebound Program, by bringing library books to those who could not get to the library. She also participated in the Geauga County Meals on Wheels Program, driving meals to those in need of a hot meal. She was also a walker and bird watcher. She loved her family and enjoyed being with them, and she loved helping others. Survivors are her children, Mathew (Bonnie), Larry (Barb), Michael (April), Maryann (Hugh) Cassidy and Rosann Schreibman; grandchildren, Mathew (Kim), Aaron, Lawrence and Christopher Tarka, Mary Colleen and Catherine Cassidy, Brittney Schreibman; and great-grandchildren, Michaela, Meagan and Caleb Tarka. She was preceded in death by her husband, Mathew E.; grandson, Chad Schreibman; parents, Leo and Rose Ann (nee Michaels) Carroll; sister, Minnie Woodlee; and brothers, Harmon and William Carroll. Friends may call from 3 to 6 p.m. Monday at Gattozzi and Son Funeral Home, 12524 Chillicothe Road, Chester Township. Funeral Mass will be 10 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2011, at St. Anselm Church, 12969 Chillicothe Road, Chester Township. Interment in All Souls Cemetery, Chardon Township.