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Mary Ann (Hawrelak) Kasofsky

November 10, 1936 - May 30, 2023

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Obituary For Mary Ann (Hawrelak) Kasofsky

Age 86, peacefully on Tuesday, May 30, 2023, of Brentwood, formerly of South Side.

She was married to Tom for 52 years and made a life and a home together in Brentwood. When Tom fell ill, she became his devoted caretaker for many years until he passed on July 5, 2010. After that, her daughters took up the role of loving caretaker that she exemplified. She leaves behind two adoring daughters, Mary Ann (Bob) Kushner and Lea (Dale) Kirchner. She also leaves five grandsons, Aaron (Clara), Ryan (Nhi), Dan, Tom (Claire) and Christopher, whom she spoiled rotten, and one great-granddaughter, Liara, whom we’ll spoil rotten in Mary’s honor. Mary loved socializing and chatting on the phone in the afternoon. She talked to strangers. She was the kind of person who would cross the grocery store just to tell you that you looked like someone she knew who was dead. She could make friends with anyone. She was active and beloved in her church and prayer groups and spoke often of her love for her Lord and Savior. She was restless and vain and generous. She had thick curly hair and a disarming smile. She couldn’t sit through a movie, but she loved EWTN. She loved to work and be busy and run errands. She was a terrible cook, but her pancakes made up for everything (her secret ingredient was love, and also butter-but mostly butter). She loved to draw and paint with her grandsons. She was playful and could be bitingly funny. She coughed when she laughed and few can boast a cough that could make your day. She went by many names. Mary. Mere. Mom. Gee. Mawmaw. She had beautiful handwriting, and reading her frequent letters were like going on a rollercoaster of swooping cursive curls of “I love yous.” She was an overachiever in school, an award-winning essayist and editor of her senior yearbook-the class of 1954-which is the stuff of legend. At the beginning, she includes a poem she wrote, touching on the feeling of the end of an era:
“The grains of time slip fast away
In the hours and minutes of each blessed day;
Let’s tilt the glass and mem’ries renew
Of old recollections, vivid and true.”
Friends will be received at the John F. Slater Funeral Home, Inc., 412-881-4100, 4201 Brownsville Road, Brentwood 15227 on Thursday, June 1, 2023 from 4-8 p.m. Funeral prayer on Friday morning at 9:45. Mass of Christian Burial in Blessed Trinity Parish, St. Sylvester Church at 10:30 a.m. Interment will be held at the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies privately at a future date

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Condolences

  • January 05, 2024

    Mark

    MaryAnne was a wonderful beautiful woman whom I was proud to call friend. I always wish I told her I was in love with her. I miss her each day I don't get to see her smile. It brightened up every room.

  • June 05, 2023

    Susan Goughler

    The day we moved into our new home in Brentwood with our 4 year old son Jordan, Mary Ann and Tom welcomed us into the neighborhood and their family. We had hit the neighbor jackpot. There was nothing they wouldn't do to help us acclimate to our new life and neighborhood. Jordan became a constant fixture in the Kasofsky yard and home. And, despite what her daughter, Mary Ann, says about her cooking, he thought Mary Ann was a FABULOUS cook and would only eat my cooking or hers. Mary Ann and Tom went on to be Jordan's godparents. No matter the time and distance between them, we always knew that Jordan was in Mary Ann's prayers and heart. She brought light and laughter into the lives of those she loved and will be greatly missed but eternally remembered by all.

  • June 01, 2023

    Linda and Glenn Paiano

    I met Mary Ann when I moved back into my family home in Brentwood next to Lea and Dale in 2008. Only to find out she went to school on the South Side with my oldest sister. She had some interesting and funny stories of their times together . Rest in Peace Mary Ann, and deepest sympathy to your family .

  • June 01, 2023

    Lisa Windstein

    I first met Mary Ann when our daughters took dance lessons. We would see each other occasionally at mass. Later we attended retreat together. Always kind, beautiful smile. A blessing to all who met her.

  • June 01, 2023

    Judy Boyle

    Your mother was truly a blessing to my mother (Dolly), myself, and my entire family. She lit up a room with her faith and presence. Wishing you peace, comfort, courage and lots of love at this time of sorrow. Judy Boyle

  • May 31, 2023

    Jo Anne Foster

    I met Mary Ann when I joined Ladies of Charities 10 years ago. We visited nursing homes together. Mary Ann was such a kind and loving person. She always spoke highly of everyone in her family. I was very fortunate to visit with another friend just last week. I'm very grateful I had that chance to see Mary Ann one last time. She will be greatly missed.