Mary (Astukiewicz) Staruk, 93, died on July 28, 2020. Mary was one of eleven children born to Russian immigrants, Juliana (Polhowska) from Minsk, Russia and Kostanty Astukiewicz from Wilno, Poland. She was the last surviving child of her family.
Mary graduated from Commerce High School in 1944 and worked at Central Electric and Heald Manufacturing as a bookkeeper. She met her husband, Harry, just after WWII and moved into the home Harry built in Worcester, where they raised their nine children – one daughter and eight sons. Although raising nine children kept Mary sufficiently busy, she still had time to manage her husband’s carpentry and home-building business.
Family was Mary’s heart and soul. She raised her children by always reminding them of the importance of family, above all else. She provided her children with unconditional love, strength, common sense, support, and compassion. She taught her children to love each other and support each other, no matter what.
Mary’s social skills were evident in her easy way with conversation and her sometimes long-winding-twist-and-turn stories. She had beautiful blue eyes that sparkled as she spoke. Everyone loved just sitting at her kitchen table for hours upon hours of conversation. She also enjoyed word puzzles, completing them daily during her first cup of tea, and enjoyed learning how to play computer games and “google” subjects she wanted to know more about. She was a very generous spirit and had an amazing memory for people, dates, and occasions.
Her husband, Harry J. Staruk, Sr. died in 2000. She leaves her daughter, Janet Lee of Millbury; four sons in Worcester: Harry, Jr. and his wife Margaret, James, Mark and his wife Bette, and Peter; one son in Boynton Beach, FL: Paul and his wife Jane; and one son in West Boylston: Scott and his wife Janice. She also leaves her daughter-in-law, Darlene Staruk, widow of her son, Steven, who died in 2004. Another son, Philip, also predeceased her in 2014, as well as her son-in-law Donald Lee, in 2015. She leaves 23 adoring grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren --- all of whose birthdays she could provide in a flash if asked! And finally, there are countless nieces, nephews, and friends who were touched by Mary’s kindness and love.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider donating to the St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place • Memphis, TN 38105 or at www.stjude.org or to a charity of your choice.
The funeral will be held on Monday, August 3, 2020 from HENRY-DIRSA FUNERAL HOME, 33 Ward St., with a Mass at 10:00 am in St. John Church, 40 Temple St. Calling hours in the funeral home will be Sunday, August 2, 2020 from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Funeral home attendance is limited, based on current gathering guidelines and face mask requirement. Burial will be at the convenience of the family. www.worcesterfuneral.com