Obituary for Mary Ann (Szarlan) Fowler
Mary A. (Szarlan) Fowler, of Ludlow, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family on September 7, 2019, just 2 hours shy of her 71st birthday. Born in Ludlow, daughter of the late Adam and Valeria (Kareta) Szarlan, she was a 1966 graduate of Ludlow High School, and received her Associates degree in Early Childhood Education from Holyoke Community College. Mary was a faithful communicant of Christ the King Parish as well as an adorer at their Adoration Chapel. In 2000, she received the Pius X award from St. Peter’s Parish in Westfield.
Affectionately known as “Miss Mary,” she was a dedicated preschool teacher for decades, preparing countless young children for their formal education at the Northampton Head Start, the Ludlow Boys & Girls Club, the Wilbraham YMCA, and the Arbors Kids in Chicopee, from which she retired in 2016. Mary’s love of children was evident each and every day, treating those she taught as if they were her own.
Mary was a kind hearted, loving woman who always put a smile on the face of those she encountered. It would be a daunting task to find someone who could say a bad word about her. She was proud of her Polish heritage, and loved the Polish food her cousins would make her. She loved the beach and her trips to Maine. In her younger days, Mary enjoyed making clothing for her children, including Halloween costumes and even bridesmaid dresses for her daughters. She loved her ceramics classes and has many pieces proudly displayed. Her greatest joy in life was spending time with her children and grandchildren, attending endless school events, including band and chorus concerts, dance recitals, plays, and cheering at sporting events.
Despite her cancer diagnosis, Mary always displayed a positive attitude and her high spirits inspired so many. She put up a courageous fight, determined to defy the odds and always astonishing her doctors. She was often referred to as a WARRIOR. Her faith in God helped guide her and knowing that so many people were praying for her only made her stronger.
Mary was the beloved mother of Scott Fowler and wife Kim, of Stafford Springs, CT, Sue Wehner and husband Jim, of Ludlow, Amy Fowler, of Northborough, Amanda McFarland and husband Bryan, of Westfield, and the late April Jean Fowler. She was a devoted grandmother to Maximilian, Adam, Rebecca, Emma and Elle; a dear sister to Richard Szarlan and wife Jane of Palm Harbor, FL and the late Charlotte Clough. She also leaves several special cousins, nieces, nephews, aunts, extended family members, and dear friends.
The family wishes to extend their infinite gratitude for three doctors who were so instrumental in Mary winning her battle, who they often refer to as Mary’s angels;
Dr. Njogu Njuguna at Baystate Medical Center, Dr. Jiping Wang at Dana Farber and Dr. Yesenia Greeff at Baystate Gastroenterology. Endless thank goes to the amazing staff on Springfield 3 Oncology, including Dr. Asik and Dr. DeMatteo. Lastly, they wish to express their sincere appreciation for all the homecare staff that touched Mary’s life, including Amy, Linda, Nancy, Chris and Kate.
Visiting hours for Mary will be held on Wednesday, September 11th from 4:00-7:00pm in Ludlow Funeral Home. Funeral services are on Thursday at 10:00am from the funeral home with Liturgy of Christian Burial at 11:00am in Christ the King Parish. Burial will be held privately at the convenience of the family in St. Aloysius Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mary’s memory to the Lustgarten Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research (www.lustgarten.org) or The Dana Farber Oncology Research Fund PO Box 849168 Boston, Ma. 02284-9168.
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Affectionately known as “Miss Mary,” she was a dedicated preschool teacher for decades, preparing countless young children for their formal education at the Northampton Head Start, the Ludlow Boys & Girls Club, the Wilbraham YMCA, and the Arbors Kids in Chicopee, from which she retired in 2016. Mary’s love of children was evident each and every day, treating those she taught as if they were her own.
Mary was a kind hearted, loving woman who always put a smile on the face of those she encountered. It would be a daunting task to find someone who could say a bad word about her. She was proud of her Polish heritage, and loved the Polish food her cousins would make her. She loved the beach and her trips to Maine. In her younger days, Mary enjoyed making clothing for her children, including Halloween costumes and even bridesmaid dresses for her daughters. She loved her ceramics classes and has many pieces proudly displayed. Her greatest joy in life was spending time with her children and grandchildren, attending endless school events, including band and chorus concerts, dance recitals, plays, and cheering at sporting events.
Despite her cancer diagnosis, Mary always displayed a positive attitude and her high spirits inspired so many. She put up a courageous fight, determined to defy the odds and always astonishing her doctors. She was often referred to as a WARRIOR. Her faith in God helped guide her and knowing that so many people were praying for her only made her stronger.
Mary was the beloved mother of Scott Fowler and wife Kim, of Stafford Springs, CT, Sue Wehner and husband Jim, of Ludlow, Amy Fowler, of Northborough, Amanda McFarland and husband Bryan, of Westfield, and the late April Jean Fowler. She was a devoted grandmother to Maximilian, Adam, Rebecca, Emma and Elle; a dear sister to Richard Szarlan and wife Jane of Palm Harbor, FL and the late Charlotte Clough. She also leaves several special cousins, nieces, nephews, aunts, extended family members, and dear friends.
The family wishes to extend their infinite gratitude for three doctors who were so instrumental in Mary winning her battle, who they often refer to as Mary’s angels;
Dr. Njogu Njuguna at Baystate Medical Center, Dr. Jiping Wang at Dana Farber and Dr. Yesenia Greeff at Baystate Gastroenterology. Endless thank goes to the amazing staff on Springfield 3 Oncology, including Dr. Asik and Dr. DeMatteo. Lastly, they wish to express their sincere appreciation for all the homecare staff that touched Mary’s life, including Amy, Linda, Nancy, Chris and Kate.
Visiting hours for Mary will be held on Wednesday, September 11th from 4:00-7:00pm in Ludlow Funeral Home. Funeral services are on Thursday at 10:00am from the funeral home with Liturgy of Christian Burial at 11:00am in Christ the King Parish. Burial will be held privately at the convenience of the family in St. Aloysius Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mary’s memory to the Lustgarten Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research (www.lustgarten.org) or The Dana Farber Oncology Research Fund PO Box 849168 Boston, Ma. 02284-9168.
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Previous Events
Visitation
Wednesday
11
Sep
4:00 PM
- 7:00 PM
Ludlow Funeral Home
432 East St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Service
Thursday
12
Sep
10:00 AM
Ludlow Funeral Home
432 East St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Funeral Liturgy
Thursday
12
Sep
11:00 AM
Christ the King Church
41 Warsaw Avenue
Ludlow, Ma 01056
Cemetery Details
Location
At the Convenience of the Family
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