Marie Elizabeth Puzniak

Marie Elizabeth Kovalchick Puzniak passed away peacefully at her Sarasota, Florida residence on January 26, 2025. She is remembered as a loving mother, beloved wife, adored grandmother and aunt, caring friend and a devoted daughter and sister. Marie lived a beautiful life guided by her faith and her love for her family. Marie was born on August 21, 1934, to Andrew and Susan (Slencak) Kovalchick in Sagamore, PA. She graduated from Springdale Highschool where met the love of her life, Tom Puzniak, her junior prom date whom she married four years later. After high school, Marie worked as a bookkeeper for ALCOA and Westinghouse Electric. She stepped away from her career to begin her family and manage the household while supporting Tom through 10 years of night school at Carnegie Mellon University where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. After the children were grown, Marie worked part time as a bookkeeper at Harmarville Rehabilitation Hospital and Visual Inc. Marie and Tom were happily married for over 66 years. They raised their three children in Dorseyville, PA and were very active in their church (St. Victors Roman Catholic) and community. Marie enjoyed teaching Sunday School and volunteering in her children’s schools. She was a member of The Dorseyville Volunteer Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary Committee and volunteered as a Docent at Hartwood Acres. She enjoyed these activities and made many lifelong friends. She adored her six grandchildren and her growing number of great grandchildren who affectionately called her Gigi. Marie loved baking and cooking. Her Fruit Cobblers, Chocolate Sheet Cakes, and Jello Cheesecakes were always a special treat. A favorite family tradition were her roast beef dinners on Sunday afternoons. She enjoyed attending her grandchildren’s sporting events, concerts, and ballet recitals. The family has many fond memories of swimming pool parties, trips to the Outer Banks of North Carolina and a Disney Cruise to celebrate the millennial. Marie and Tom loved traveling and visited many places in the United States, Caribbean, Mexico and Europe. She was an avid reader and was encouraged to take up the game of golf by Tom and quickly became addicted. She played in several Ladies leagues, had a hole in one, and enjoyed taking many golf trips with Tom and other couples. On their first trip to Sarasota in 2001, they fell in love with the area and decided to make it their winter home, moving there permanently in 2015. They enjoyed golf, many wonderful friendships and the beautiful surroundings. A special occasion for Marie was the celebration of her 90th birthday in Sarasota last August. Of course it wasn’t the focus on her that excited her, but rather all her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren together at one time and place that brought her joy. As she looked at all nine of her great grandchildren dancing and playing together, she reflected that she had lived a full and blessed life. Marie is survived by her two daughters Nancy Lawrence (Bill) Newtown Square, PA, and Karen Douma (Oscar) Sarasota, FL, her six grandchildren, Megan Swanson (Mark), Lauren Dorsey (Jay), James Lawrence (Shelly), Ryan Brady (Jillian), Rebecca McGinnis (Kyle), and John Douma (Jenna) and nine great grandchildren, Ellie, Emilia, Cameron, Kenji, Isla, Juniper, Kenzo, Izzy and Oscar. She was preceded in death by her parents, Andrew and Susan Kovalchick, her husband Tom Puzniak, her son Tom Puzniak Jr., her sister Ellen Yakopec, and her two brothers Andrew and William Kovalchick. A private family service will be held for Marie in March. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to ALLFAITHFOODBANK.org

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Marie Elizabeth Puzniak

August 21, 1934 - January 26, 2025