Mary C. Skolnicki

Mary C. Skolnicki (nee Tomasic), age 97, of Lorain, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Wednesday, February 15, 2023.

Born Tuesday, February 9, 1926, in Lorain, she graduated from Lorain High School in 1944.  Mary worked at JCPenney and Lorain Works US Steel during World War II until the men returned from war.  After the war, Mary married the love of her life, John P. Skolnicki, soon after he returned home from active duty.  Mary moved to Midland, Michigan with her husband and family due to her husband’s job.

In 1958, the Skolnicki family returned to Lorain.  Mary worked at Tony’s Meat Market in Lorain while her children were in school.  In 1981, she retired from General Motors in Elyria, where she worked as an inspector for 16 years.

Since 1958, Mary has been a St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Catholic Church member in Lorain and the church’s Altar and Rosary Society and Mothers Club.  She was also a member of the United Auto Workers Union, Croatian Club, Slovak Home, and Polish National Alliance. 

Mary enjoyed reading, bowling at the Croatian Club and Slovak Lanes, and dancing with her husband, especially to polkas and waltzes.  As a young woman, she was an accomplished roller skater.  Watching her children and grandchildren at their sporting events brought her great joy.  As a Cleveland sports fan, Mary enjoyed attending baseball games at Progressive Field in her wheelchair.  

She is survived by her sons, John (Nancy) Skolnicki of Tipp City, Ohio, and Steven (Debra) Skolnicki of Vermilion; daughters, Marilyn Hamel and Kathleen Blake both of Amherst, and Susan (Mark) Evans of Maryland; nine grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandson.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, John P. Skolnicki, in 2007; parents, Blaz and Kata (nee Mihalic) Tomasic; brothers, Joseph, Martin, Michael, Blaz, Paul, James, Steve, William, and infant brothers, Robert and Lawrence; sister, Anna Stransky and infant sister, Pauline; and a grandson, Bronson Blake.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. in the Dovin Funeral and Cremation Specialists, 2701 Elyria Avenue, Lorain, where a rosary will be said at 5:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Thursday at 9:30 a.m. in the funeral home followed by 10:00 a.m. Mass at St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Catholic Church, 2143 Homewood Drive, Lorain.  Rev. Neil Walters, pastor, will officiate.  Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Lorain.

Contributions may be made to St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Catholic Church, Friends of Murray Ridge Center, or a charity of your choice.

Mary was a thoughtful, kind, generous person throughout her life who always gave the best hugs.  Mary was blessed to be surrounded and loved by family and friends her entire life, with special thanks for the loving care of Kathleen, Courtney, Brittany, Marilyn, and especially Kristina Porter, who was her primary caregiver for several years.