Mary Kowal

Mary Kowal (nee: Marino) of Bristol Borough passed away peacefully on November 11, 2014 at Phoenixville Hospital just two weeks short of her 100th birthday. Born in Santa Sophia d’Epiro in the Province of Calabria, Italy, she immigrated through Ellis Island in New York and moved directly to her new life in Bristol Borough where she eventually met her true love Frank Kowal to whom she was married for 50 years until his death in 1987. For the past 12 years Mary lived in Phoenixville with her daughter and her family, where she was continually surrounded by love and the affection of her 2 grandchildren. Mrs. Kowal was a former member of the Robert W. Bracken American Legion Ladies Auxiliary where she held numerous offices including President. She was also a member of the Golden Marks; and early in life, the Miraculous Medal Sodality of St. Ann Church where she was also an active soloist. Mary was a selfless woman who was passionately dedicated to her family. Her generous love and guidance was evident in the values she passed on to her family: respect, integrity, honesty, hard work, and the love of God and our country. Mary’s kind and thoughtful disposition was felt by everyone who knew her. She was predeceased by her loving husband, Frank Kowal; her brothers and sisters: Nicholas Marino, Thomas “Gennaro” Marino, Adeline Delia, Catherine Kerlyn, and Grace and Catherine Marino (both in Italy). She will be greatly missed by her loving family: her five children, Ted Kowal and his wife Eva of Mt. Laurel, NJ, Joseph Kowal and his fiancé Sue Fiorentino of Newtown, Frank Kowal Jr. of New Hope, Nicholas Kowal and his wife Dolores of Bensalem, and Anna Marie Dato and her husband Philip of Phoenixville, PA; her 11 grandchildren: Kelly Ann Capriotti, Mary Jo Stedeford, Denise Kowal, Kevin Kowal, Mark Kowal, Lisa Mimm, Donna Ricklin, Nicholas Kowal, Christina Kowal, Gabrielle Dato, and Nadya Dato; and 11 great-grandchildren: Nicole, Blair, Melanie, Shawn, Marcus, Luke, Kasey, Sam, Julia, Zoe, and Elizabeth; and 2 great-great-grandchildren: Carter and Kendall. Relatives and friends are invited to call on Tues., Nov. 18, 10-11:45am, at St. Ann Church in Bristol. Funeral Mass will be celebrated 12 noon. Interment will follow in St. Mark Cemetery. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Mary Kowal, please visit our flower store.