Mary Ann Gierchak

POLAND - Mary Ann Angela Gierchak, 78, passed away peacefully Wednesday Feb. 26th at Caprice Health Center.

She was born November 26, 1946 in Youngstown, a daughter of the late Joseph and Angela Siranovic Gierchak.

Mary Ann attended Sts. Peter and Paul School and graduated in 1964 from Ursuline High School. She then attended Choffin and became a practical nurse. She received her bachelors degree in nursing from YSU and became a registered nurse. Mary Ann was employed at St. Elizabeth Hospital where she was a nurse for 47 years.

In her free time, Mary Ann enjoyed reading, crafts and going to Niagara Falls with her family. She belonged to Hubbard Library and Cornersburg Baptist Church crochet groups, and the Western Reserve Knitting Guild. Christmas was her favorite holiday and she loved collecting all kinds of Christmas trees. She was a loving, kind, and generous person. She also had a love for animals, especially her dog, Pebbles.

Mary Ann was a lifelong member of Sts. Peter and Paul Croatian Church, and watched daily mass on tv.

Mary Ann is survived by her sisters, Catherine Gierchak, whom she made her home with in Poland and Jo Ann (James) Colaluca of Youngstown; her nephews, the loves of her life, Mark (Terri) Colaluca of Poland, Joseph (Danielle) Colaluca of Canfield, and Michael (Brittney) Colaluca of Youngstown; her great nieces and nephews, Madeline and Wyatt Colaluca of Poland, Dominic and Emma Colaluca of Canfield, the arrival of baby Colaluca in September and John and Daisy McGarry of Youngstown; along with many cousins and friends.

Family and friends may pay their respects from 11AM to 12PM at Sts. Peter and Paul Church, 421 Covington St. Youngstown, where a Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 12 PM.

Private interment will take place at Calvary Cemetery.

Mary Ann's family would like to thank the nurses at St. Elizabeth Boardman and Caprice Health for their caring and compassionate care.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the family during this time.

Professional arrangements are being handled by Higgins-Reardon Funeral Homes, Poland Chapel.