Marie W. Suwinski

Marie W. Suwinski, 96, passed away on January 4,2015 at Kendal in Ithaca, where
she had been a resident since 1999. Marie was born October 20, 1918 in Grimsby,
Ontario. She moved to Buffalo, NY with her mother following the death of her
father in 1925. Marie married Henry Suwinski in April, 1939 and they lived in the
same house in Elma, NY for almost 60 years, where they raised their two sons, Jan
and Robert. Henry passed away in November, 1998. Marie's determination to get an
education was interrupted three times by bouts with tuberculosis which required
extensive hospitalizations. At age 55, after raising her children, she returned to the
University of Buffalo where she earned Bachelor and Masters degrees in Library
Science, graduating in 1973. She then worked in the Erie County Library System
until her retirement in 1983. Marie had a great variety of interests. She was an active
member for many years in the League of Women Voters, Zanta, and The
Theosophical Society. She was also interested in nature and conservation and a
member of her local hiking club. She helped organize events to celebrate the history
ofElma. Marie studied the world's religions and Egyptology, traveling to Egypt to
enhance her knowledge. She assembled an extensive book collection on these two
subjects. After moving to Kendal, Marie taught herself how to use the computer and
pursued her interests in astronomy and genealogy through the internet, tracing her
family history back to the 13th century in England. She also enjoyed ballet and was
an avid fan of professional tennis, watching all the major tournaments on TV.
Reading, especially about current events, and then engaging in discussions on these
subjects was something she also enjoyed. Marie will be most remembered for her
kindness, generosity and wonderful sense of humor throughout her life. She is
survived by sons Jan (Susan) of Ithaca, NY and Robert (Sheila) of Brookline, MA,
granddaughters Karen Suwinski of Eugene, Oregon and Elizabeth Suwinski of
Brookline, MA, and grandson Samuel Suwinski of Brookline, MA. A family
memorial service and burial is planned for summer 2015 in Elma, NY.