Obituary of Blanche M. Zawaly

Blanche M. Zawaly, 91, a most beautiful and loving mother of six; grandmother of thirteen; great-grandmother of fourteen; wonderful wife of Peter, (who predeceased her on June 15, 1998); caring sister and aunt; and good friend of so many, passed away on December 18, 2009. Blanche was born on July 13, 1918 in Niagara Falls, NY to her parents John and Mary (Izak) Motyl. She attended Holy Trinity School in Niagara Falls, and later earned her high school equivalency diploma in Rome. She was fluent in Polish, as a second language. She married her beloved husband, Peter P. Zawaly, on August 5, 1934 at St. Hedwig Church in Houseville, NY. Her adoring children are Dolores (Richard) Odrzykowski, of Holland Patent, NY; Genevieve (Senatro) Iuorno, of Rome; Joseph (Inez) Zawaly, of Fleetwood, PA; Peter, II. (Joyce) Zawaly, of Dublin, OH; Richard (Cheryl) Zawaly, of Rome; and, Christine Wideman, of Southaven, MS. She is also survived by her sister, Genevieve Schaffer, of Tonawanda, NY; her sister-in-law, Mary Kran, of Lee Center, NY; and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by nine sisters and brothers; a grandson, and a great-grandson. Blanche was a member of Transfiguration of Our Lord Church; it's Rosary Society and Mother's Club; Westlander's Senior Citizens, where for many years she served as "Story & Joke Teller;" and a life-long member of Stanwix Heights Ladies Auxiliary. She was employed at Nelson's and Goldberg's department stores, and retired from the Rome Developmental Center in 1976. Blanche's long life was, and will forever be, a blessing to all who knew her, and her loving and caring ways will be greatly missed by the absence of her tender kisses, compassionate hugs, charming smile, encouraging words, engaging intellect, quick witted, pies of all varieties, cinnamon bread, and pierogis. Funeral services will be held Tuesday at 9:45 AM from the Barry Funeral Home, 807 W. Chestnut Street and at 10:30 AM at Transfiguration of Our Lord Church. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery. Relatives and friends may call at the funeral home, Monday 4 to 7 PM.