Obituary of Mary Jane Szczechowiak

Mary Jane Szczechowiak, entered into rest on Saturday, February 5, 2022 at the Martin-Linsin Hospice Residence in Albion.

Born April 17, 1931 in Medina, Mary Jane was a daughter of the late Edward and Christine (Rydzewski) Parada. She graduated from Medina High School in the class of 1948. She went on to graduate from the Highland Hospital School of Nursing in Rochester. Mary Jane married the late Joseph A. Szczechowiak on June 12, 1954 at the Sacred Heart of Jesus R.C. Church in Medina. She started her nursing career at Medina Memorial Hospital in 1953. A fixture at the hospital for decades, she retired after 35 years in 1988 as assistant director of nursing. Mary Jane was a lifelong parishioner of the former Sacred Heart of Jesus R.C. Church in Medina, and upon its closing, was a parishioner of Holy Trinity R.C. Parish, St. Mary’s Church. A devout Catholic, she was a member of the Rosary Society, the Mother’s Club and sang in the choir. She served on the original board that started Hospice of Orleans, now Supportive Care of Orleans, who took great care of her in her final days. Mary Jane was an active volunteer in the community through MAAC food pantry and clothing depot and also belonged to the Senior Citizens of Western Orleans. She enjoyed knitting, making rosaries, travelling and gardening. Mary Jane will be remembered as a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, nurse and friend to many.

In addition to her parents, Mary Jane was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Joseph A. Szczechowiak in 2003; identical twin sister, Christine (Joseph) Lewandowski in 1972; brothers, John “Jack” (Teresa) Parada, Edward (Barbara) Parada and Bernard (Maxine) Parada; sister in-law, Antoinette Parada; sons in-law, Philip Stein and Daryl Banazwski; and niece, Jolene Tracey.

Left to cherish her memory are her daughters, Paula Banazwski, Linda (Thomas) Calabrese and Sandra Stein; cherished niece, JoAnn Lewandowski; grandchildren, Michael, Jennifer, Brian, David and Sarah; great-grandchildren, Nora, Alice, Aidan, Logan and Layla; brother, Anthony Parada; and several nieces and nephews.

The Rosary will be recited on Friday, Feb. 11^th at 3:30pm with calling hours following from 4-7:00pm at Cooper Funeral Home, 215 W. Center St., Medina. Her Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by the Rev. Bernard Nowak on Saturday, Feb. 12^th at 11:00am at Holy Trinity Parish, St. Mary’s Church, 211 Eagle St., Medina. Masks will be mandatory at both locations. Interment will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to Supportive Care of Orleans, 14080 Rt.31 West, Albion, NY 14411, Orleans Community Health Foundation, 200 Ohio St., Medina, NY 14103 or to a charity of one’s choice.