Obituary for Mary J. (Bunyan) Nowasacki
Mary J. (Bunyan) Nowasacki, 77, longtime Auburn resident, passed away after a long illness on Saturday, September 3, 2022 with her loving family by her side.
She leaves her devoted daughter, Jessica (Nowasacki) Markowitz and her husband David, of Auburn; her adoring grandchildren, Rory, Liam, and Rhys Markowitz, all of Auburn; her brothers: Vincent P. “Paul” Bunyan, Jr., of Wisconsin and Florida, John Bunyan and his wife Pam, of Auburn, Alabama, and Matt Bunyan, of Tulsa, Oklahoma; her former sister-in-law, Donna Long and her husband Jeff; her nieces and nephews: Barbara Schwartz, Bill Bunyan, Christine Bunyan, Bill Long, and Pete Long; and her beloved cat, Buzz; as well as many friends, colleagues, and former students. Mary was predeceased by her parents, Vincent P. Bunyan, Sr. and Dorothy (Thompson) Bunyan; her sister-in-law, Normandie “Normie” Bunyan, with whom she was friends before becoming relatives; her nephew, Brian Bunyan; and her former husband, Chester “Chet” Nowasacki, Jr.
Mary was born and raised in East St. Louis, Illinois, graduating from Southern Illinois University with a Bachelor’s degree in Education. She then received her Master’s degree from Worcester State College and began her teaching career in the Auburn Middle School, where she taught 7th grade for 34 years. Mary’s passion in life was education, and especially loved teaching Geography and History to her students.
Mary also loved playing tennis and softball, and was an avid runner. She loved reading, and always had some fiction and historical non-fiction in rotation. Mary was known for her cutting, dry wit, and her affinity for cooking – she loved making gourmet, 8-course meals for her family and friends. Above all, she was so devoted to her family; she was especially careful, after she and Chet’s divorce, to help Jess get acclimated to the change and make her the center of her world.
Mary certainly made an impact with her teaching, and will be missed by many.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Auburn Middle School - in care of Auburn Public Schools, 5 West St., Auburn, MA 01501.
Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Mary’s family between 5 – 7 PM on Wednesday, September 14, 2022 at the BRITTON-WALLACE FUNERAL HOME, 91 Central Street, Auburn, MA.
She leaves her devoted daughter, Jessica (Nowasacki) Markowitz and her husband David, of Auburn; her adoring grandchildren, Rory, Liam, and Rhys Markowitz, all of Auburn; her brothers: Vincent P. “Paul” Bunyan, Jr., of Wisconsin and Florida, John Bunyan and his wife Pam, of Auburn, Alabama, and Matt Bunyan, of Tulsa, Oklahoma; her former sister-in-law, Donna Long and her husband Jeff; her nieces and nephews: Barbara Schwartz, Bill Bunyan, Christine Bunyan, Bill Long, and Pete Long; and her beloved cat, Buzz; as well as many friends, colleagues, and former students. Mary was predeceased by her parents, Vincent P. Bunyan, Sr. and Dorothy (Thompson) Bunyan; her sister-in-law, Normandie “Normie” Bunyan, with whom she was friends before becoming relatives; her nephew, Brian Bunyan; and her former husband, Chester “Chet” Nowasacki, Jr.
Mary was born and raised in East St. Louis, Illinois, graduating from Southern Illinois University with a Bachelor’s degree in Education. She then received her Master’s degree from Worcester State College and began her teaching career in the Auburn Middle School, where she taught 7th grade for 34 years. Mary’s passion in life was education, and especially loved teaching Geography and History to her students.
Mary also loved playing tennis and softball, and was an avid runner. She loved reading, and always had some fiction and historical non-fiction in rotation. Mary was known for her cutting, dry wit, and her affinity for cooking – she loved making gourmet, 8-course meals for her family and friends. Above all, she was so devoted to her family; she was especially careful, after she and Chet’s divorce, to help Jess get acclimated to the change and make her the center of her world.
Mary certainly made an impact with her teaching, and will be missed by many.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Auburn Middle School - in care of Auburn Public Schools, 5 West St., Auburn, MA 01501.
Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Mary’s family between 5 – 7 PM on Wednesday, September 14, 2022 at the BRITTON-WALLACE FUNERAL HOME, 91 Central Street, Auburn, MA.