Obituary of Mary A Talaba

LITTLE FALLS - Mary A. Talaba of Southern Ave., Little Falls, NY passed away Sunday, November 1, 2015 at Little Falls Hospital surrounded by her family. She had enjoyed 94 years of life. Mary was born on May 16, 1921 in Little Falls the daughter of the late Michael and Anna (Ulerich) Dudik. She was attended Little Falls schools. On March 15, 1947 she was united in marriage to her husband of 61 years Paul Talaba in Syracuse, NY. Paul predeceased Mary on September 8, 2008. Mary was a member of the Holy Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Little Falls. At various times in her life she had been employed at onetime by the following; the former Merrill Dress Co., the former Little Frocks Dress Co and the former H.P. Snyder Mfg. Co, all in Little Falls and during World War II by the Remington arms., Co., Ilion. During times of unemployment, she gladly fulfilled her role as a stay at home mom and homemaker. Ever the care – giving, civic mined, social person she was, Mary devoted much of her free time to community service; actively serving on the Little Falls Housing Authority and the Little Falls Democratic Committee. She also served as an Election Inspector for Herkimer County for 47 years. All who knew Mary were treated to her witty and giving personality and her complete dedication to her family. Among her many passions in life, her interactions with her grandchildren and great grandchildren gave her the most joy. She delighted in feeding everyone who visited her home and was a great cook, famous for her homemade apple pie “the best ever”, her style of pizza, Slovak pastries (especially the kolacky and apple strudel she learned to make from her mother) and her incomparable nadivka. Mary’s other passions in life included riding her bicycle around the South Side of town well into her mid 80’s, watching baseball and golf on TV, playing cards and board games with family and friends and socializing with one and all. She is survived by her son; her daughters; Paulette Ferraro and her husband Salvi, Penfield, NY and Ellen Fuller and her husband Bernard, Hauula, Hawaii, David Talaba and his wife Patricia, Mohawk, her grandchildren; Nicholas Ferraro and his wife Margo, Penfield, NY and Douglas Ferraro, and his wife Nicole, Webster, NY, Amanda Talaba, and Michael Talaba, both of Little Falls, great grandchildren; Adriana and Nolan Ferraro, her brother; John Dudik and his wife Laverne, Dolgeville and her sister; Dorothy Frederick, Myrtle Beach, SC, several nieces and nephews and a special life-long friend from Southern Ave, Janet Tomei. She was predeceased by her brothers; Michael Dudik in 1992 and Samuel Dudik in 2008, and by her sisters; Margaret Dudik, in 1933, Susan Sadlon in 1973, Katherine Frank in 1991, Elizabeth Ashe in 2000, Christine Costello in 2010 and Mildred Dudik in 2012. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, November 5, 2015 at 10:00 am from the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 512 E. Gansevoort Street, Little Falls, NY with the Rev. Joseph Famulare, Pastor officiating. Interment will take place at the convenience of the family at Holy Trinity Lutheran Cemetery, Little Falls. There are no calling hours, but a social gathering and luncheon will be held following the funeral service from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at the church social hall. Arrangements are by the Chapman-Moser Funeral Home, Inc., 42 N. Ann Street, Little Falls, NY. It is the wish of the family that contributions in memory of Mrs. Talaba be considered to the Little Falls Hospital, 140 Burwell Street, the Holy Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, 512 E. Gansevoort St., Little Falls, NY 13365 or to the Little Falls Beautification Committee c/o Mr. Ralph Renzulli, 10 W. Monroe Street, Little Falls, NY 13365. The family would like to extend their special thanks and appreciation to the entire medical and hospital staff of the Third floor of Little Falls Hospital for the amazing care and compassion shown to Mary and her family for the past difficult weeks. Thanks also to the Alpine Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for the care she received there for the past several months.