Mary A. Zak

Mary A. Zak, age 91, of Toledo, Ohio, passed away Sunday, December 28, 2008 in Sylvania, Ohio at the home of her son Edward. She was born January 3, 1917 to Phillip and Mary Valasek in Leihigh, Iowa. She married George Zak, Jr. on May 1, 1937 at The Holy Rosary Catholic Church (Birmingham East Toledo). They were life long residents of the Toledo area and former members of St. Vincent De Paul, St. Johns the Baptist, St Adelberts, St. Anthony (Michigan), Our Lady of Mount Carmel (Temperance, MI) and Christ the King Roman catholic Churches.

Mary was an accomplished cook and baker employed by several Toledo restaurants including the Tick-Tock, Smith Cafeteria and Frank Uncles. She had a passion for presenting spectacular meals for any occasion and she anxiously looked forward to holidays, family gatherings or weekend visits from friends. She was a resident of the Luther House, Temperance, Michigan for over seven years and was always ready to bake or cook for community functions or provide food delicacies to individuals that were ill, lonely or in need of encouragement. Mary's working career also included 17 years with former Schmidt's Meat Packing Company as a Plant Supervisor.

She was preceded in death by her husband, George of 55 years in April 1992; parents, Phillip and Mary; brother, Frank Valasek; sisters, Rose Kroprowski; Helen Klena; grandson, Michael Zak and great granddaughter, Nicole Zak. Mary is survived by sons, Edward (Sherrie) of Sylvania, OH and David (Cindy) of Monroe, MI; grandsons, Edward; David and Matthew; granddaughters, Cheryl Ann Lucia; Vicki Marie Hiser; sisters, Bess Krasula and Agnes Jagos. She is also survived by 10 great grand-children; 6 great-great grandchildren; 7 nieces and 6 nephews.

The family will receive guests Wednesday from 2-8:00 p.m. at Newcomer Funeral Home, 4150 W. Laskey Rd. (419-473-0300) with a Rosary recited in the evening. Funeral Services will begin Friday at 9:15 a.m. in the funeral home followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. at Christ the King Catholic Church, 4100 Harvest Lane. Interment will follow at Mount Carmel Cemetery, Lagrange St, Toledo, OH

Those that are inclined to give memorials are asked not to send flowers, but rather offer a Mass in Mary's honor. Please consider a donation to Hospice of Northwest Ohio or to the charity of the donor's choice.

The family of Mary Zak wishes to extend their appreciation for the professionalism and skilled care that Hospice provided during her last weeks of life.