Mary Bartkoski

Mary L. Bartkoski, 84, Overland Park, died February 26, 2011.

She was born December 25, 1926, in Kansas City, Kansas, where she attended St. Benedict's School and Church and Ward High School. She worked at Southwestern Bell and Riley's Jewelry. She began singing as a child and was a member of many choirs. She was a cantor at Queen of the Holy Rosary for 35 years and was the church's first woman cantor. She was a member of the church's social club and school board.

She belonged to the Ancient Order of Hibernians. She loved dancing and travel. With Christmas as her birthday and Mary as her name, she felt a strong bond with Saint Mary and prayed the rosary daily most of her life.

She is preceded in death by her parents, William and Margaret McMahon; sisters Peggy Pinkelmann and Evelyn Kearney, and brother, William McMahon. She is survived by her husband of 53 years, Thomas Bartkoski; sons Tom W. Bartkoski and his wife, Jadine, and David Bartkoski and his wife, Bobbie; daughter, Sharon Nicely and her husband, Christopher; grandchildren Joseph, Kathleen and John Nicely, Shannon Bartkoski and Dustin Kerby.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Sisters Servants of Mary, 800 N. 18th Street, Kansas City, Kansas 66102.

Visitation and Funeral Service

Visitation will be from 10:00-11:30 a.m., Wednesday, March 2, 2011, at Queen of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 71st and Metcalf Avenue, Overland Park, Kansas, where a Rosary will be recited at 10:00 a.m. Funeral service will follow at 11:30 a.m. Burial in Resurrection Cemetery, Lenexa, Kansas.