Maria Kowalski
December 8, 1945 — August 15, 2024
Requiescat in pace — Wieczny odpoczynek racz jej dać, Panie
Eternal Rest Prayer
“Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in peace. May her soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.”
Traditional Catholic Prayer
A Life of Faith, Family, and Service
Maria Teresa Kowalski was born on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, December 8, 1945, in Krakow, Poland. Her parents, devout Catholics, saw this as a sign of God's special blessing on their daughter's life — a blessing that would be evident in everything Maria did.
After emigrating to the United States in 1968, Maria and her husband Stanislaw settled in Chicago's Polish community, where they became pillars of St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish. Maria threw herself into parish life with characteristic energy, serving as a Eucharistic minister, leading the Rosary Society, and teaching religious education classes for over 30 years.
Maria's faith was not confined to the church walls. She lived her Catholicism through daily acts of charity: bringing meals to the sick, visiting the homebound, organizing clothing drives for the poor, and always having an extra place at her table for anyone who needed a warm meal and a listening ear.
A devoted wife and mother, Maria raised five children in the Catholic faith, making sure each received all the sacraments and understood the beauty of their Polish Catholic heritage. Her pierogi-making sessions before Christmas and Easter became legendary family gatherings that brought together three generations.
Maria received the Anointing of the Sick surrounded by her family, with her rosary in her hands and the prayers of her parish community lifting her to the Lord. She passed peacefully on the Feast of the Assumption, returning to the Blessed Mother she had devoted her life to honoring.
Scripture
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”— Romans 8:38-39
Light a Candle
A candle lit in prayer for the faithful departed
2 prayers offered
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Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord. A light in our parish community — always t...
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May the angels lead them into paradise. A faithful servant and a blessing to all...
Catholic Devotions & Service
Daily Rosary
Maria prayed the Rosary every morning for over 50 years, offering her intentions for family, parish, and the world.
Eucharistic Adoration
A faithful weekly adorer for 25 years, spending every Thursday evening in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament.
Stations of the Cross
Led the parish Stations of the Cross during every Lenten season for three decades.
Marian Devotion
President of the Rosary Society and organizer of the annual May Crowning ceremony honoring the Blessed Mother.
Blessed Memories
Memorial Mass
Monday, August 19, 2024 at 10:00 AM
St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish
1351 W. Evergreen Avenue, Chicago, IL 60642
Celebrant: Fr. Andrzej Nowak
Memorial donations may be made to the St. Stanislaus Building Fund or the Little Sisters of the Poor.
Memorial Service Details
Guestbook
Share your memories and condolences
Showing 5 of 12 condolences
I still remember the afternoon walks we shared, when the world felt simple and beautiful. You had this incredible gift for making everyone around you feel truly seen. I will carry those conversations in my heart forever.
A mentor, a friend, and one of the kindest souls I've ever known. The way you guided our team with patience and wisdom — that legacy lives on in every person you touched. Rest in peace.
Words cannot express how much you meant to our family. Every holiday, every Sunday dinner — your laughter was the melody that held us all together. We miss you more than words can say.
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord. A light in our parish community — always the first to volunteer, always the last to leave. I will keep them in my daily prayers.
May the angels lead them into paradise. A faithful servant and a blessing to all who knew them. Their kindness was a daily sermon more eloquent than any I could ever deliver.