Margaret Cromi Sirak, 95, Golfer and Ballroom Dancer

Born to Joseph and Pauline Krawczenski on April 3, 1920, she was one of three children. She attended cosmetology school after high school and was a hairdresser for over forty years. She met her husband Stephen Cromi through his sister, while attending cosmetology school. They were married at Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Lorain on October 16, 1946 . Together they built the home she has lived in for over sixty years, and raised two children Juanita (Dan) Smith and Barbara (Alan) Pavelschak. Stephen died in October of 1978 after 32 years of marriage. In 1982 Margaret married John Sirak . They shared a fondness for ball room dancing and enjoyed 16 years together until Johns passing in 1998 . She continued to stay energetic, golfing in a league into her 80’s and winning the Championship title for the Deercreek womens league. Margaret was a 47 year breast cancer survivor. She was known for her signature “bucket seats”, appliqued washcloth bibs, and handmade quilts which every grandchild and greatgrandchild received.

Active until days before her death she spent the majority of her final years dividing her time between her daughter’s homes in Columbus/San Diego and North Ridgeville so she might stay close to her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Those years were devoted to being involved in many family activities, including a family trip to Gatlinburg to celebrate her 90th Birthday.

She would never pass up an opportunity to travel to attend family celebrations. She made multiple trips to Kentucky ( to visit with her triplet great grandchildren), Arizona, Alabama, Kansas, California , Florida, Illinois and Virginia to attend her great grandchildren’s christenings, first communions, confirmations, birthdays, and extra-curricular school activities such as music and dance recitals, gymnastics, soccer, basketball and La Crosse games. She even made trips to the Pentagon in Washington D.C and Wichita, Kansas to witness her grandson’s promotions in the U.S Airforce.

Margaret often spent the holidays out of state just to be around her family. Her latest trip took her to San Diego this past July to enjoy the summer with the youngest family members.

Closer to home she loved attending football, basketball and baseball games to cheer on her great grandsons in Avon Lake and Columbus, Ohio.

She was preceded in death by her father in 1961 her mother in 1989, her sister Florence (Walter) Skolnicki, in 1996 and her brother Leonard (Phyllis) Krawczenski in 2005.

Besides her daughters and sons-in law, Margaret leaves behind, 7 grandchildren and their spouses, Steven (Ali) Smith, Russell (Sherry) Smith, Nicole (Gus) Harriot, Jeffrey Pavelschak, Jason (Colleen) Pavelschak, Douglas Pavelschak, and Matthew Pavelschak, and 15 great grandchildren, Justin and Brady Smith, Ty, Maddie and Molly Smith, Nate and Mia Harriot, Conner, Logan and Austin Pavelschak, Jocelyn, Cameron, Dillon, and Calista Pavelschak, and Maxwel Pavelschak.

She is also survived by her sister’s children Elaine Skolnicki, Walt (Rebecca) Skolnicki and their families and her bothers children Karen (Greg) Charney, Pam (Lynn ) Porter and Joseph ( Carla) Krawczenski and their families who kept in touch through the years.

Margaret’s family was extended through her second marriage by the addition of John’s son Alan (Sandra) Sirak, granddaughters Melissa and Michelle and two great grandchildren.

Her life was enriched by the visits of Elaine and Walt and by the phone calls and cards from her great nieces and nephews, Mark and Kaarina, Tom and Kevin, Beth and Tim.

Living a long and full life Margaret leaves us to begin a life of eternal rest with the Lord and we celebrate her life on earth knowing she will live on in our lives through memories.

Friends may call Sunday, November 29th from 4:00pm to 8:00 pm at Reichlin-Cooley Funeral Home, 2920 Broadway, Lorain , Ohio.

Funeral services will be Monday November 30th, beginning with prayers at the funeral home at 10:30 am followed by Mass at 11:00 am at the Church of St. Peter. Father Craig Hovanec will officiate. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery.

Memorial contributions can be made to Mercy New Life Hospice, 3500 Kolbe Rd., Lorain, Ohio 44053.

*Hospice care is end of life care-not only for those suffering with a terminal illness, but for everyone who wants to enter the final stages of life with comfort, compassion and dignity.