It is with great sadness that her family announces the passing of Mary Ignatovich, of Pittston, while heaven holds the joy of welcoming her home on Monday, July 17, 2023.

Born Mary Alice Madrak to the late Boleslaw Madrak and Anna Czerwinski Madrak on October 1, 1925 in Duryea, Mary attended Duryea schools, graduating from Duryea High School, Class of 1944. Her academic achievements merited her being chosen for a secretarial position at the Pentagon in Washington D.C. during World War II.

After returning home, she married Albert Ignatovich also of Duryea, who preceded her in death on February 7, 2018. Making their home in Pittston, she was a dedicated and loving mother to her children, grandchildren, and a beloved great granddaughter.

A homemaker and excellent cook, Mary is remembered for her mouth-watering homemade apple and blueberry pies, with berries often picked by hand, canned tomatoes from the garden and her lovely Christmas Eve Wigilia feasts.

She loved music, especially polkas, animals, including her cat, Marcus, had a keen interest in current events and had a nonchalant sense of humor.

Enough can't be said about how she lived her 97 years with her kind and generous heart, her humble, down-to-earth nature, her strength of character and her devotion to her Catholic faith. She was a life-long member of Holy Rosary/Nativity of Our Lord Parish and a member of the Confraternity of Christian Mothers.

In addition to her parents and her husband, she was preceded in death by brothers, John, Bernard, Stanley, Chester, Edward, Frank and Barney and sisters, Victoria Shedlock, Bertha Pakutka and Stephanie Lawson.

Surviving are:
Daughter, Jean Ignatovich of Duryea
Son, Albert Ignatovich of Wilkes-Barre
Son, John Ignatovich of Harding
Daughter, Mariann Kostelaba and her husband, Michael, of Bear Creek Twp.
Daughter in Law, Tammy Ignatovich of Forty Fort

Grandson, John Nicholas Ignatovich and his wife, Katie
Grandson, Dale Ignatovich
Great granddaughter, Ava Ignatovich
Nieces and nephews

The family would like to thank The Gardens at Wyoming Valley for the care and compassion that was given to Mary.

Funeral services will be held Friday, July 21, 2023, at 9:00 am from the Bernard J. Piontek Funeral Home Inc., 204 Main Street, Duryea with the Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 am in Holy Rosary Church, 127 Stephenson Street, Duryea with the Rev. Michael Bryant officiating. Interment will be in Holy Rosary Cemetery, Duryea. A viewing will be held Thursday from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the funeral home. To leave an online condolence for Mary's family, please visit the funeral home website, www.piontekfuneralhome.com.

PLEASE NOTE: YOUR ONLINE CONDOLENCE WILL NOT APPEAR UNDER THE GUESTBOOK ENTRIES UNTIL IT IS APPROVED BY THE FUNERAL HOME

Guestbook Entries

So sorry for the loss of your lovely mom! I have many memories of her during our school years at Holy Rosary School…. And the memories of the friendship through baking and the former Christian mothers that my mom and yours had Rest in Peace!!!

Judy Lambert (10 months ago)

My sincere condolences. I remember Mary from the Uncle Ed Polak and Aunt Lou family get togethers and celebrations.

Stan Polak (10 months ago)

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