Marie (Brinzo) Gaydos

     Mrs. Marie (Brinzo) Gaydos, 92, a resident of Hanover Township, passed into Eternal Life Saturday afternoon in the care of HCR Manor Care, Hampton House campus following a recent illness.

     Born October 14, 1925 in Wilkes-Barre, she was a daughter of the late Michael and Katherine (Piech) Brinzo.  Educated in the Hanover schools, she was a member of the 1942 graduating class of the former Hanover High School.

     If you drove along West End Road in Hanover Twp. from the early 50’s to the late 80’s you probably met Marie Gaydos. Whether she was slicing a lunchmeat order, dishing out penny candy at Marie’s Store, or perhaps she was tossing in the extra ear of sweet corn for the dozen you stopped by to pick up at Fort Durkee Greenhouse & Farm. With a smile on her face she was the constant at those businesses run by her and husband Joe Gaydos.  Later in life Marie took that smile and warmth when she worked for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania helping those less fortunate to navigate the process in the Wilkes-Barre LIHEAP office until her retirement.

Her volunteerism in community and church was very broad. She was involved in fund-raising at BILAA Little League, Hanover Township Booster Club, Hanover Lions Club Auxiliary, Christian Mothers of Saint Stephen’s, or parents club at Saint Vincent’s High School. Marie was a staple of the crew that hand-made pierogis or peeled potatoes for the annual Bazaar at the Exaltation of Holy Cross Parish.

Many ladies from Plymouth and Hanover will remember those annual bus trips she coordinated to see Broadway Plays in NYC along with shopping. Marie was an avid dancer into her 80’s. Whether is was doing the jitterbug at the old Sans Souci dance hall or doing a variety of polka dances at just about every event in the tri-state area, Marie enjoyed it all.

Marie actually had two families. After her husband had passed and her sons had moved on with families of their own, she took on the task of being a mother for a second time. Her devoted companion John Gurzynski was a widower with three young children. Marie rolled up her sleeves and delved right in without skipping a beat.

Throughout her life Marie was the ultimate Phillies Fan. From the flop of ’64 to those World Series victories she would never let you turn off the game no matter the score.

On top of all this she always had time for all the grand-children and great grand-children.

     She was preceded by her husband, Mr. Joseph John Gaydos in 1974; by a son, Mr. Joseph Gaydos in 1984 and by a sister, Mrs. Helen Roski.

     Left to mourn her passing, in addition to her beloved companion, John at home are her son, Mr. Richard Gaydos and his wife Patricia of Wenonah, New Jersey; Daughter-in-law, Carol Gaydos of Kingston;   Grandchildren, including Craig, Jason and Christopher Gaydos; Michael Gaydos and his wife Emily and Patrick Gaydos and his wife Jennifer;   John’s children, Susan Gurzynski-Wells and her husband John David of Keller, Texas; Thomas Gurzynski and his wife Karen of Dallas; Felicia Denn and her husband Tom of Annapolis, MD and their families;  Six great-grandchildren Several nieces, nephews and dear friends.

     Funeral services for Mrs. Gaydos will be conducted on Friday with a Funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m. in Exaltation of the Holy Cross Roman Catholic Church, 420 Main Road, Hanover Township.  The Reverend James E. McGahagan, former pastor will serve as celebrant and homilist.

     Interment with the Rite of Committal will follow in Saint Stephen’s Roman Catholic Cemetery, Lehman Township.

     Relatives and friends may join Mrs. Gaydos’ family for visitation and remembrances Friday morning directly at church from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the funeral mass.

     In lieu of floral tributes, Marie’s family would be humbled if those contemplating a memorial contribution in her memory, kindly consider her beloved church, Exaltation of the Holy Cross Roman Catholic Church, 420 Main Road, Hanover Township, PA 18706.

     The Wilkes-Barre Heights location of the John V. Morris Family Funeral Homes Inc., 281 East Northampton Street is honored to care for Mrs. Gaydos and her family at this time.

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