Mary Rose Kaczmarek

Mary Rose Kaczmarek, 87, passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 28, 2019 in Jacksonville, Florida, however lived much of her life in St. Augustine. She was born April 25, 1932 in Hartford, Connecticut to Thomas and Maria Caracuzzi and was born to the Catholic faith, however considered herself as a Christian.  She eloped to the Panama Canal (due to his Naval career) and married her best friend and love of her life, Walter T. Kaczmarek on August 16, 1953 who preceded her in death in 2012.

Mary loved people and of all walks of life.  She gave more than she received and had been known to invite people into her home if she felt they were in distress.  There was always room at the table for a meal or a cup of coffee and was always ready for a good laugh. For hobbies, she liked to play Bingo or go fishing with her love and cook up a great meal for her family and friends.

In her early life, Mary was a nurse’s aide for the elderly.  She took great pride in helping them find comfort. It suited her servant heart.  Mary was also known for being spunky in nature and ready for some fun-banter to keep the laughter going.  Her patients were treated no different and she brought smiles to many.

Mary’s greatest love of people were her family.  She lived her life for her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  She was a true matriarch.  Her family will miss the many calls a day to check in and language that only she understood, known as “Momisms”.  She is survived by her brother, Tom Caracuzzi; sister, Elsa Lucca; three children, Walter T. Kaczmarek, Jr., Loretta Kaczmarek and Maria Walden.  She also leaves behind 11 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. All of whom she loved and touched deeply.

Her life was a living example of the Bible verse, Luke 6:35 NKJV — “Love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons and daughters of the Most High.”

Please join us celebrating her life and the celebration of rejoining her husband for eternity on their wedding anniversary weekend. Services will be held on Saturday, August 17, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. at Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine, 38 Cathedral Place, St. Augustine, FL 32084.

Aaron and Burney Bivens Funeral Home, 529 Kingsley Avenue, Orange Park, FL 32073 (904) 264-1233 is serving the family.

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