Mary Walter

On January 27, 2025, our beloved mother, Mary Walter, was called home to be with the Lord. She lived a life filled with love, kindness, and faith, and her memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew her. Mary was born and raised in Pittston, PA, to the late Anthony and Anna Lazauski and was the oldest of four sisters—Theresa, Franny, and Cathy. She was the devoted wife of the late Richard Walter, with whom she shared 55 years of marriage. Their love story began when they met in Washington, DC. After just six months, they were married one day after Mary’s birthday as Richard "couldn't wait" to marry the love of his life. Mary lived her faith by example, selflessly sharing her time, talents, and treasure. She was an active member of two prayer shawl ministries for many years, where she used her crocheting skills to create shawls, lapghans, scarves, and hats that she lovingly donated to local organizations. These ministries brought her great joy, as did the friendships she forged through them. Mary also supported various charitable causes, particularly those focused on children, veterans, and pets. Her shopping trips rarely involved buying anything just for herself, as she often returned with bags full of items she intended on giving away to others. Mary was a devoted mother to her daughters, Christine and Diane (husband Neil), and a proud grandmother to Kiarra, 20, and Owen, 16. Her grandchildren brought her immense joy, and she cherished every moment spent with them. A few special memories stand out. At the end of every phone call with Kiarra, they would compete to be the first to say, “Love you the mostest.” This sweet tradition meant so much to Kiarra that she even got a tattoo of the phrase in her grandma's handwriting. Owen fondly recalls the FaceTime calls with Grandma, when he would clean his bedroom while catching each other up on their week. Mary was also a passionate sports fan. She was the pitcher on her work softball team in St. Paul, Minnesota, and enjoyed years of bowling with her husband, sisters and in-laws, affectionately earning the nickname "Sparry Mary." She cheered on her daughters at swimming competitions for over eight years, never missing a single one. A fan of the Minnesota Vikings and Duke men's basketball, Mary would switch channels during games, fearing she was bringing her team bad luck if they were losing. Her love for the Olympics was unmatched, and she could often be found watching one event on TV while following another on her iPad. Mary is survived by her daughters, Christine and Diane; her grandchildren, Kiarra and Owen; her sisters, Cathy, Franny, and Theresa; and numerous extended family members and friends who will miss her deeply. No funeral services are planned at this time. However, a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to one of Mary's favorite charities: Help 4 Kids (www.help4kidssc.org) or St. Francis Animal Center (https://www.sfanimals.org/). A life well-lived, Mary’s memory will continue to inspire all who had the privilege of knowing her. "Well done, good and faithful servant." — Matthew 25:23

Tributes

Mary Walter

January 27, 2025