Mary Bespiaty

AUSTINTOWN - Mary Bespiaty, 97, passed away peacefully late Tuesday evening, Feb. 28, 2017, at Briarfield at Ashley Place, in the arms of her loving daughter, son, and son-in-law.

Mary was born June 5, 1919, in Johnstown, Pa., a daughter of the late John and Pauline Speers Pavlisen, and came to this area with her family as a child.

She was raised on Youngstown’s west side, and learned at an early age to be helpful to her mother. She attended Stambaugh Elementary School, where one of her teacher’s gave her the nickname, “Giggles.” Mary had a wonderful sense of humor.

Mrs. Bespiaty worked at the Triangle Coat Factory, and later for the Youngstown Public Schools as a cleaning matron for 15 years, when her children had reached their teens.

She married her husband, John S. Bespiaty, Oct. 12, 1940, and for the next 68 years, was a loving wife to him until his passing on April 6, 2009. The couple’s two children were the center of her life, and she was a loving and gentle mother who gave of herself and made her family’s home “comfy, cozy, and happy.” She was a true homemaker and loved cooking, sewing, crocheting, and baking, especially Italian biscotti cookies. Up for doing most anything, Mary loved to dance to and listen to polka music, and she enjoyed reading and puttering around the house.

Mary and her husband traveled many times to California to visit with her son and daughter-in-law. While there, she enjoyed spending time with her extended family: her daughter-in-law’s sons, Corey and the now-deceased, Sean; grandchildren, Melissa and Sean; and great-grandchildren, John and Jordan. Mary also spent many winters in Florida with her daughter and her late son-in-law in Naples and in Bonita Springs.

Mrs. Bespiaty was not only beautiful in appearance, but also was beautiful on the inside. The sweetest and kindest person, she was always willing to do for others. She believed strongly in God, and began and ended each day with prayer. When asked how her day was, she’d always say, “everyday is a beautiful day.”

Mary and her younger sister, Annie, had a long and wonderful relationship and were inseparable for much of their lives. They spoke to each other two or three times a day, up until the last few days of Mary’s life. As children, Annie followed Mary around like a little “tail.”

Mr. Bespiaty was a member of St. Anne Ukrainian Catholic Church in Austintown.

Mary leaves her son and daughter-in-law, John “Butch” Bespiaty and Louwannah “Billie” Bespiaty of Ripon, Calif.; her daughter, Polly Flood and her husband, Victor Franco of Austintown; and her sister, Ann Kusic of Austintown. Annie’s children, Brenda Binder and Mike Binder, were Mary’s godchildren and lovingly called her “aunt MiMi.” She loved them dearly, as well as her niece, Janice (Ed) Connors. Janice “adopted” Mary as her “second mom,” and called her every evening for nearly 30 years. Mary looked forward to their conversation and getting “news” about niece Jennifer (Terry) Stanton and children. Mary also loved her niece, Karen Pekalla and her children, Jim (Jill) Barnhart and Zeita, Jason (Chrissy) Pekalla, and children, and Holly (Eric) Humphrey and family. Mary also leaves a niece, Christine Pavlisen of Phoenix; Deborah Houghton of Parker, Calif.; and Linda and Bruce Muller of Tempe. Mary was blessed with her son-in-law’s family, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Franco, Mr. and Mrs. Gary Franco, and Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Mesik. They made Mary a part of their family and made her feel very special. Her son-in-law, Vic, always began Mary’s day with a special “mommie” song which he made up, and lots of hugs and kisses. Her day always started with a smile from him.

Mary will be truly missed by all who knew and loved her; her extended family, nieces, nephews, and many friends.

Besides her husband, Mary was preceded in death by four brothers, Michael, Peter, Steve, and Charles Pavlisen; a son-in-law, Richard D. Flood; and a niece and nephew, Kathy Kusic and Charles Pavlisen Jr.

Family and friends may call from 5 to 7 p.m., Sunday, March 5, at Kinnick Funeral Home 477 N. Meridian Rd., Youngstown, where a prayer service will take place at 4:30 p.m.

Funeral services will begin at 10:30 a.m., Monday, at the funeral home, and will continue at 11 a.m. at St. Anne Ukrainian Catholic Church.

Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Youngstown, where Mary will be laid to rest next to her beloved husband.

Mary’s family wishes to thank Dr. Thomas Traikoff for his excellent care throughout the years, especially for caring for Mary as if she were family. Mary thought the world of Dr. Traikoff and of doctor’s wife, Susan. Mary’s family also thanks the doctors and nurses at St. Elizabeth Health Center in Youngstown, 8th floor, as well as the staff at Briarfield at Ashley Place and with Hospice of the Valley.

“Dearest Mom, we love and miss you so much, there is a void in our lives that can never be filled, but we know you are in the good hands of God. God bless you, dearest mom.” - Butch, Polly, and Vic.