Mary Skarup, 85, Former Nun And Educator

She was born June 7, 1919 in Campbell, Ohio where she attended Saint John’s Parochial School there. She furthered her education by attending Saint John’s College in Youngstown and later Ursuline College also of Youngstown. She entered the Vincension Sisters of Charity as a nun and spent the next sixteen years teaching at parochial schools in and around Mahoning County.

Health problems forced her to leave the convent and life as a woman religious, but she turned her devotion to the secular sector by teaching for another twenty-five years as an educator in the Lorain Public School System. She fulfilled duty assignments at Lincoln Elementary and Washington Avenue Schools and also served for six years as a summer school teacher. She retired from the district in 1980.

A parishioner of the Catholic Church of Saint Peter, she was an accomplished artist with a special passion for painting and line drawing. Additional interests included needlework, crocheting, and all forms of crafts. She was also a regular attendee at bingo games throughout the area.

Mrs. Skarupa is survived by a daughter: Patricia (Patti) Jaworski of Berea along with a grandson: Gregory also of Berea. Mary was preceded in death by her husband: John in 1995, by her parents: Andrew and Katherine (nee Olenick) Blasko, by brothers John, Joseph, William, Michael, Reverend Stephen, and Reverend Andrew, as well as her sister: Ann Baluch.

Friends may call Tuesday, March 8, 2005, from 10 a.m. until time of services at 11:00 a.m. in the Catholic Church of Saint Peter – 3501 Oberlin Avenue – Lorain. The Reverend Charles Henkle, O.F.M. Conv. Associate pastor of the parish will officiate. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery – Lorain.

The family suggest memorials in her name to The Cleveland Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Foundation – 12200 Fairhill Road – Cleveland, Ohio 44120.