Mary Wirdzek

November 14, 1927 - November 1, 2022

Mary Elizabeth, beloved Mother, Grandmother, Aunt and friend went to be with the Lord on Nov. 1st, All Saints Day. She was 94.

Mary was born to Thomas and Florence Schaeffer in Easton, PA. She graduated from Saint Joseph’s Hospital School of Nursing, Philadelphia, PA in 1948 as an RN. She worked in PA Hospitals after graduation until a nurse friend said “they’re looking for nurses out in California, want to come?”, and Mary said yes! She reassured her family she would be back in 6 months, but never did return to PA to live. Once in California, Mary worked at hospitals in San Diego, Santa Barbara and San Francisco. In San Francisco Mary met her future husband of 58 years, John, on a blind date. They were married in 1951 in Orinda. Once they started having children they moved to Millbrae where they remained for 50 years. When her kids were in school Mary went back to work at Peninsula Hospital parttime at night. It was there that she met her wonderful group of nurse friends that she kept up friendships with throughout the rest of her life. In her free time she liked to bowl, go on trips to Reno and Tahoe, and take cruises.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, brothers James “Roy” and Paul, sister Rita, husband John and daughter Jean. Mary is survived by her sons Paul and John (Judy), daughter Virginia (Will), granddaughters Emily and Lauren, grandsons James and Sean, many nieces and nephews, and wonderful friends.

There will be a memorial service Saturday Dec. 3, 2022; 11:00 am at the Colonial Mortuary of Crosby-N Gray, 2 Park Road, Burlingame. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, your local food bank, or charity of your choice.

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