Mary Anne Pitoniak

Mary Anne Pitoniak, 90, of Alfred, died peacefully, with her loving family by her side, on April 13, 2015, at the Newton Center in Sanford, Maine. Mrs. Pitoniak has been a resident of Alfred, Maine since 2003. Mary Anne was born on July 25, 1924 in Adams, Massachusetts and was the daughter of Onesime James and Winifred V. (Buckley) Tanguay. Mary Anne attended Boston Business School and then gained employment as an Executive Secretary with the Museum of Science and at Wentworth Institute. After moving to Maine, she was a clerk at the Acton Post Office, beginning in 1985 and worked there for six years. Mary Anne married her childhood sweetheart, Harold R. Pitoniak on May 4, 1946 and they raised their family in Sturbridge, Massachusetts, then in Monson and then West Roxbury, Massachusetts, before moving to Maine. After several vacations in Maine, they eventually purchased a cottage on Great East Lake in 1976. With Mary Anne's stylish architectural planning and unique interior decorating skills, she and her husband designed a year-round home which they lived in for 27 years, before moving to Alfred, Maine. Both she and Harold enjoyed visiting family and friends on their pontoon boat. Mrs. Pitoniak was a well-loved and devoted community member. She was active with the PTA, delivered meals to the homebound with Meals on Wheels, and taught CCD classes at Holy Family Catholic Church in Sanford. Mary Anne was a devoted mother who enjoyed sewing, knitting and making beautiful quilts for her family and close friends. Mary Anne possessed a kind and gentle spirit. She was often sought out by friends and family members for advice and counsel. She was an avid reader and enjoyed the daily newspaper. She loved to watch her well cared for birds and tend her beautiful outside gardens. She also grew award-winning African Violets. She loved to travel and delighted in going to Jordan, Australia, Norway, Mexico and the Caribbean Islands. Mary Anne lived her life with great faith and compassion. With her love of children, she was a faithful sponsor of the Christian Children's Fund for over 37 years. She has been a true matriarch to her family and her presence will be missed daily. Her memory and unconditional love will continue to comfort and warm the heart of those she has loved. She is survived by her husband of close to 69 years, Harold R. Pitoniak of Alfred, ME and their five children: Paula C. Pitoniak of Sanford, ME; Christina M. Stark and husband, Robert of Cobleskill, NY; Marcia J. Reddington-Lawton and husband, Mark of Mansfield, MA; Marc F. Pitoniak and wife, Joy of Houston, TX and Anne E. Haigh and husband, Edward of Quincy, MA; six grandchildren, Rami Zawaideh, Emily Reddington-Harris, Erik Pitoniak, Nathaniel Pitoniak, Amy Zawaideh and Joanna Jao; four great-grandchildren: Kamilla Pitoniak, Harold Reddington Harris, Maya Pitoniak and Arman Pitoniak. The funeral will be on Friday, April 17, at 9:00AM from the PACIOREK FUNERAL HOME, 13 Hoosac St., Adams, followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 10:00AM in Notre Dame des Sept Douleurs Church, McKinley Square, Adams, celebrated by Rev. Steven Montesanti, Pastor. Burial will follow in Bellevue Cemetery, Adams. Calling hours are Thursday from 5:00PM to 7:00PM at the PACIOREK FUNERAL HOME, Adams. A Calling hour will be held in Maine on Wednesday from 11:00AM to 12:00 NOON at the Autumn Green Funeral Home, 47 Oak St., Alfred, ME. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Bonaventure Indian Mission, P.O. Box 610, Thoreau, NM 87323-0610.

Mary Anne Pitoniak

April 13, 1925 - April 13, 2015