Maria "Mary" Maszera's Obituary
Maria "Mary" Maszera (Shpunder), born on October 29th, 1937, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family on February 13th, 2023. Maria worked for Western Electric in Newark, NJ, before starting a family of 6 children with her husband Dmytro of 35 years. She later went on to drive a school bus for Dapper Inc. for several years, followed by managing the Ukrainian Community Center in Irvington, NJ, and running a self-owned catering business "Serendipity Caterers".
Maria is survived by her children Dmytro Jr (Toms River, NJ), Sonya McLaughlin & husband Brian (Trinity, FL), Michael & wife Kimberly (Tarpon Springs, FL), Yaroslaw "Jerry" & wife Diane (Millstone Township, NJ), Anastasia "Stacey" Cline & husband Robin "Rob" (Clearwater, FL), Alessandra "Sandy" Penswater & husband John (Jackson, NJ), and 14 grandchildren & 1 great-grandchild. Maria was one of seven children, born in New York City, and is survived by siblings Anna Sivak, Vivian Chester, & William Shpunder.
Maria is predeceased by siblings Leonia Shpunder, Olga Shpunder, & John Shpunder Jr.
During her life she was very instrumental with the groundbreaking achievements of the Immaculate Conception Ukrainian Catholic Church, in Hillside, NJ, and was an active choir member. Maria was very loyal & committed to raising awareness and keeping alive the notion of Ukrainian Independence. She spearheaded the exhibit of the Ukrainian Culture in Ellis Island, NY. Many of her accomplishments that brought great pride also included annual Ukrainian flag raising ceremonies at City Hall Union, NJ, and construction of Ukrainian parade floats in honor of the millennium celebration of Ukrainian Christianity. She was a Girl Scout leader for troop #472 in Union, NJ in her early days, enjoyed spending time with her "Serendip" lady friends and was a member of the Immaculate Conception Church Rosary Society, the Soyuz Ukrainok, and the Woodbridge, NJ Elks Ladies Auxiliary.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to the Knights of Columbus Ukraine Solidarity Fund.
https://www.kofc.org/en/what-we-do/charity/ukraine.html
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