Mary Ellen Kathleen Mazek

Racine – Mary Ellen Mazek, 87, entered into eternal life on Thursday, December 22, 2011 at Hospice Alliance in Kenosha.  Mary was born in Salem on July 26, 1924, daughter of the late George Tsirigotis and Emily (nee: DeLange) VanMaastricht.

Mary lived most of her life in Racine.  She was united in marriage on March 6, 1948, to Walter Adam Mazek.   Her loving husband, Walter, preceded her in death on April 6, 1987.  She and Walter were members of St. Stanislaus Catholic Church for many years.  She volunteered at the church and school during all of the years her children were in attendance.  She also volunteered with the Girl Scouts and the PTA.  Mary and Walter made and sold concrete lawn ornaments and Christmas trees over the years.

Mary loved to sing and dance.  She also played the piano when she was younger.  She would write jingles for contests and even won a few times.  Mary loved knitting and crocheting and gifted many of her creations to others.  She once made an afghan for Ellen Corby who played Grandma Walton on The Walton’s.  Mary will be dearly missed by everyone who knew and loved her.

Mary is lovingly survived and cherished by her children, Sandra (Rell) Barrett of Kenosha, Patricia (Douglas) Kuiper of Waunakee, Terri (Daniel) Estep of Longwood, FL, Susan (James) Tauschek of Racine, Karen (Jason) Hathaway of Racine; grandchildren, Holly M. Barrett of Kenosha, Heather M. (Parker) Gillis of Racine, Douglass P. (Sharon) Kuiper of Waunakee, Scott W. (Stacey) Kuiper of DeForest, Trisha L. (Steven) Eschweiler of St. Petersburg, FL, Christopher M. (Jessica) Evensen , Matthew R. Stroup, both of Longwood, FL, Jay W. Tauschek, Jerad J. Tauschek, Roy C. Hathaway, Lee T. Hathaway, Cody A. Hathaway, all of Racine; great-grandchildren, Matthew Barrett, Alexander Barrett, Mya Gillis, Elise Kuiper, Grace Kuiper, Ethan Kuiper, Hannah Kuiper, Molly Kuiper, Dylan Evensen; brothers, Andrew Chirigotis, Robert (Lois) Chirigotis; granddaughter-in-law, Kathy (Scott) Poltrock; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and dear friends too numerous to mention.  In addition to her parents and husband, Mary was preceded in death by her grandson, Rell W. Barrett, and sister, Elaine (Robert) Roberts.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Wednesday, December 28, 2011, 6pm, at St. Lucy Catholic Church, 3101 Drexel Avenue, with Rev. Mark R. Jones officiating.  Visitation will be in the church from 4pm until the time of the service.  Entombment will take place on Thursday, December 29, 2011, 11am, at Holy Cross Cemetery in Caledonia.