Maria (Jamrozik) Sylawa

Obituary for Maria (Jamrozik) Sylawa (1923-2023)

Maria Sylawa, age 99, died peacefully on Tuesday, October 10, 2023 at Paoli Hospital, surrounded by her loving family.

She was the daughter of the late John Jamrozik and Caroline (Novak) Jamrozik and was the wife of the late Watson F. Sylawa. She was also predeceased by her brother, Andre Jamrozik. She is survived by her daughter Jacqueline Caton and husband Chris, son Daniel Sylawa and wife Jeanette and granddaughter Taylor Caton and Fiancé Tyler Lee.

Maria was born November 2, 1923 of Polish parents, but was raised in Saint-Ouen-l’Aumone, France in the suburbs of Paris. After completion of her schooling, she worked as a bookkeeper. Following the liberation of France, she met her future husband Watson, who was serving in The U.S. Army. They were married in Pontoise, France on June 3, 1946 and Maria emigrated to the United States as a war bride and became a U.S. Citizen. Following her arrival in The U.S., she worked at the John Wanamaker main store in Philadelphia. Maria and her husband settled in Norristown, PA, where she took on a full time role of raising and supporting her family and taking care of her many beloved pets. She enjoyed gardening, sewing, needle crafts and puzzle games, loved her birds and was known to have a very sharp mind. She also developed a level of skill with technology and text messaging became her favorite means of communication. Always independent, she moved in later years to live with her daughter in the Phoenixville, PA area.

Maria was a member of Sacred Heart Parish in Swedesburg, where she was a longtime member of St. Cecelia’s Choir, Rosary Society and a worker at the Parish Festival and other events. Relatives and Friends are invited to Sacred Heart Church, 120 Jefferson Street, Swedesburg, PA 19405 on Monday, October 16, where her viewing will be held from 9 a.m. until 9:50 a.m. and her Funeral Mass will begin at 10 a.m. Interment will follow in St. Augustine Cemetery. The family would appreciate Memorial Donations to Main Line Animal Rescue, 1149 Pike Springs Road, Chester Springs, PA 19425, 610-933-1164, Donate@mlar.org. Arrangements are by The Bernard S. Gutkowski Funeral Home, Swedesburg, Keith J. Murphy, F.D., 610-275-6385, www.gutkowskifuneralhome.com

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