Marie Gawerecki
Waterford — Marie (Sorce) Gawerecki, 87, beloved wife of Marvin Gawerecki, peacefully entered eternal life on Monday, July 9, 2018, surrounded by her loving family.
Born on July 1, 1931, in New London, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Theresa (Victoria) Sorce, and the sister of the late Ruth Marie Smolenski, who unexpectedly passed away at the age of 25. Her mom emigrated from Portugal when she was 18, and her dad served in the Coast Guard and Navy. Marie also briefly lived in Texas and New York.
Marie attended Albany Business College where she won a beauty pageant. She met her husband, Marvin, at a dance in Schenectady, N.Y. They were united in marriage on July 4, 1955, at St. Patrick’s Church in Mystic, and celebrated their 63rd anniversary with their children at the hospital. Except for several recent months of hospital and nursing home stays, Marie was able to live at home with the help of her devoted husband.
Before her children were born, she worked as an executive secretary at Electric Boat. In the late 1970s, she went back to work as a special education teacher’s aide at Clark Lane Middle School until she retired. She cherished her time and the many friendships she made there. A devout Catholic, she was a communicant of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church and a member of the Ladies Guild. She loved the ocean and enjoyed going to the local beaches. Marie attended Pillar Polkabration each summer at Ocean Beach with her husband where they would dance and listen to Polka music. She loved dogs and feeding the birds, especially cardinals. She enjoyed dining at the Shack, Neon Chicken and Pizzarama with her family. Marie made many beautiful gifts at ceramic class.
Her greatest joy in life was spending time with family and friends. She looked forward to the holidays and family celebrations at her daughter Ruth’s house. She fondly remembered going out for coffee with her friends in her younger years. Besides her husband, Marie is survived by her adoring children, daughters, Karen of Old Lyme and Ruth of Manchester and sons, Mark of Florida and Kevin and his wife, Carol, of Arizona. Marie also is survived by the pride and joy of her life, her only grandchild, David Stiehl of Manchester. Marie held David in her arms upon his birth in 1997 and proudly saw him grow into a wonderful man attending many of his school, religious and sporting events. Marie also leaves behind her former son-in-law, Michael Stiehl; two nieces, several cousins; special “sister” friend, Madelyn; special friend, Dorothy; the entire Cabral family and many other friends.
Although she suffered many trials throughout her life she never complained, instead, worried about others. Besides the heartbreak of losing her sister and parents at a young age, she suffered from painful medical conditions, endured six joint replacements, and survived breast cancer twice with the first diagnosis at age 40, battled heart disease and many other ailments. Yet Marie had the most amazing spirit, was kind to everyone, always smiling, patient, understanding, loving, positive and sweet. Many people have told her family that she was the nicest person that they have ever met referring to her as an angel and a saint. She was truly an angel, an inspiration to us all, and a blessing to her family and everyone who was lucky enough to have met her.
As a tribute to Marie, the family asks that you practice random acts of kindness. In lieu of flowers, please donate to your favorite charity.
Her family will receive relatives and friends from 11 a.m. until a Mass of Christian Burial at noon Friday, July 20, 2018, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, 63 Old Norwich Road, Quaker Hill. Interment will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery.