February 12, 2013
Stanke, Mary
Mary Stanke, a resident of Walpole since 2003 and formerly of Mountainside, New Jersey for over 50 years, died Monday, February 11, 2013 at the Ellis Nursing Home in Norwood. She was 95. Mary was born June 28, 1917 in Ambridge, Pennsylvania, a daughter of Russian immigrants Anani D. and Daria E. Movchan. She graduated from Newark Teachers College in Newark, New Jersey and worked for 30 years as an elementary school teacher in the Union, New Jersey and Mountainside, New Jersey public school systems. Mary was a member of the Mountainside, New Jersey Garden Club. She also enjoyed music and singing, and was a member of the Mountainside Music Association and the New Pond Village Glee Club. Mary was the wife of the late William G. Stanke; and the sister of the late Alex, John, Anne and Hermina. She is survived by her son, Alan Stanke, and his wife Suzanne M., of Westwood; her granddaughter, Rachel K. Stanke; a niece and two nephews. Services and interment will be private. In lieu of flowers donations to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, Grand Central Station, PO Box 4777, NY, NY 10163-4777, or online at www.michaeljfox.org would be appreciated.
Comments(1)
Aunt Mary was, what we called, the “Sweet Sister.” In more ways than one, we remember her interest in the children of the family- her baked goods, especially the Rice-Krispy Treats and cookies, All were made with love.
She never forgot to send out greeting cards, to all, for special occasions. She had an avid interest in gardening, cooking, and baking. She was up-to-date with her interest in reading of books and magazines and kept up a lively chatter about all items of interest when we would see her.
Aunt Mary opened her home and heart to all that came to Mountainside for family events.
One last memory we have, was of her sister, Anne, and Aunt Mary singing old Russian songs. Time was erased between the two in that duet.
Aunt Mary will certainly be missed
Love, Irene, Ed and our entire family.