Maria Rozalia Pawloski

PAWLOSKI, Maria R. – age 83, died September 24, 2015. Visitation will be held on Friday, October 2, 2015 from 4PM-7PM at Reigle Funeral Home – Sunset Chapel – 5501 W. Pierson Rd., Flushing, MI. A Rosary Service will take place at 7PM. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, October 3, 2015 at 10AM at St. John Vianney Catholic Church, 2415 Bagley St. Flint, MI, with one hour of visitation prior to the service; Fr. Thomas Firestone, celebrant. Entombment will follow at New Calvary Catholic Cemetery. Maria, beloved wife, mother, sister, and grandmother, was born in Detroit, MI on September 2, 1932, the daughter of Stanley and Pelagia (Sulewski) Lechert. At age 16, she graduated from an all-girls Catholic high school in Hamtramck, MI. She then began her collegiate studies at the University of Detroit, where she met her future husband, James E. Pawloski. They married on June 10, 1952 at St. Florian Catholic Church in Hamtramck, MI. While working to help support her husband as he attended U of D Dental School, Maria began the most cherished “job” of her life: that of mother to four children. Later, she would return to finish her college studies, receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from the University of Michigan-Flint. She taught for a number of years at Holy Redeemer Catholic School in Burton, 5th and 6th grade math and science. Her former students will recall she had a penchant for accurately tossing the felt chalk erasers at them to regain their attention. She also served many decades as Jim’s dental practice bookkeeper. Maria was a woman strong in the practice of her Catholic faith, and in her support of Catholic education. Along with her husband, she was actively involved in the Powers Catholic High School building campaign; served on numerous fund-raising committees at Holy Redeemer; and was a regular Powers Catholic Athletic Club booster parent, helping to organize and run the basketball game concessions. She had several other passions beyond family and faith including: dogs and other pets, horses and riding, arranging flowers cut from Jim’s gardens, reading everything she could (especially novels), doing crossword puzzles, and most of all – regularly traveling with her children all over the U.S., and even beyond a few times. From her young years on, Maria was an avid Tigers fan; she used to ride the streetcars from her home to the original Tiger stadium to attend games. She was also a fan of football, especially during her son’s high school JV and Varsity years. Surviving are her four children: Roxanne (Robert) Brunger, Susan Almaraz, Mary Pawloski and fiancée Paul Brown, and Dr. John (Brenda) Pawloski; five grandchildren: Catherine Pawloski, Claire Pawloski, Emma Callard, Samuel Pawloski, and Benjamin Pawloski; beloved sister, Ann Skwarek; dear friends Jim and Joann Ruhala, and Ron and Marge Sielski; many nieces, nephews, and godchildren. In lieu of flowers, please consider contributions to St. John Vianney Catholic Church or the North End Soup Kitchen. The family wishes to thank the caring staff at Regency at Grand Blanc; Fr. Tom and Deacon Tony; and the special friends and family members who assisted our mom, especially in recent years. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.reiglefuneralhomes.com.