Mary E. VanBrocklin, 94, formerly of Utica passed away at the Cottages in Cicero on Tuesday after a short illness. She was born on the family farm in Deerfield, NY during a late winter storm on March 25, 1928 daughter of Marianna (Pretko) and Karol Szczyt. She was the youngest of 13 children.
Mary graduated from Whitesboro High School and went to work in the Utica area at one of the GE factories and later at a dentist's office. She married Charles Van Brocklin on November 15, 1952 in St. Mary's Catholic Church, in New York Mills, NY. Being good with math, she started working as the bookkeeper for her husband and father-in-law's business, C. VanBrocklin & Son, an auto parts supply house based in Marcy, NY, until she and Charlies retired in 1987. She lived most of her life in Utica, moving to Greenpoint Senior Living in Liverpool, 13 years ago. Mary enjoyed completing crossword puzzles and her favorite Number Fill-ins. Mary found hours of enjoyment at many local casinos. She was once a large jackpot winner at an Atlantic City casino. Very much a people person, Mary loved to talk with people to make them feel important and smile. Always quick witted, when asked how she was , her response was always the same, "Miserable!", with a laugh that followed.
Mary was predeceased by her husband Charlie, her parents and siblings, Walter Danielle, Joseph Szczyt, Helen Geremski, Stanley Szczyt, Alexander Szczyt, Casimir Szczyt, Sadie Goralczyk, Emily Messman, Stella Starowicz, Gladys Carr, Alfred Szczyt and Nellie Trusdell.
She is survived by numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
A funeral mass will be held on Friday Feb. 17, 2023 at 9:30 am at Sacred Heart Church, Cicero. Burial will take place in the Spring at St. Stanlislaus & Casimir Cemetery in Whitesboro, NY.
To leave a special message of Mary for the family please visit the guestbook below.