WINDSOR, VT
Mary Lou Witkowski, 83, a resident of Windsor and formerly of Southern Pines, North Carolina, passed away on Mother's Day, May 8, 2011 at the Cedar Hill Continuing Healthcare Center in Windsor.
She was born July 14, 1927 in Pittsburgh, PA the daughter of John and Hazel (Helfer) Connolly. She attended St. Andrews Catholic School, graduating in 1945. She worked as a bookkeeper for the National Bank of Pittsburgh and married Francis R. Ditillo on July 29, 1950. He predeceased her on May 22, 1958. She married John J. Witkowski on January 14, 1961 in Los Angeles, CA, where they resided until moving to Wyckoff, NJ in 1967. They retired to Palm Coast, FL in 1990 and then moved to Southern Pines, NC in 1994. Throughout her life Mrs. Witkowski spent many hours volunteering at her local church, library and hospital. Most recently she had earned her 500 hour service pin as a toy maker for First Health Moore Regional Hospital in Pinehurst, NC, an accomplishment she was most proud of. She was also a fundraising volunteer for Habitat for Humanity through her affiliation with the Mary Lou Club and a member of the Moore County Handcrafters. She enjoyed cooking, sewing and crafts of all types, shopping and buying gifts for others. She and her husband moved to Windsor in April of 2010 to be closer to family.
She was predeceased by one sister, Catherine Halliwell, and four brothers, Joseph, William, James, and Edward.
Survivors include her husband, John J. Witkowski of Windsor, two daughters, Roberta Ditillo Giroux and her husband, Stephen, of Windsor, and Carol Witkowski Robertson of South Salem, NY, one step-granddaughter Angela Giroux Mercier of Westfield, MA, one granddaughter, Emily J. Robertson of South Salem, NY, one step-great grandson Remy C. Mercier of Westfield, MA, two sister-in-laws, Anna Mae of Pittsburgh, PA and Mildred of Seattle, WA, and several nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, June 4 at 11:00 AM at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Windsor. The Rev. Rene Butler and Rev. William Giroux will be the Celebrants. Committal services will be in the St. Francis Cemetery in Windsor. A reception for family and friends will follow at the Village at Cedar Hill in Windsor.
Memorial contributions may be made to Cedar Hill Healthcare Activities Fund at 49 Cedar Hill Drive, Windsor, VT 05089 or to First Health Moore Regional Hospital Toymakers at PO Box 3000, Pinehurst, NC 28374.
The Knight Funeral Home in Windsor is entrusted with the arrangements.