Mary Mankowich

Mary Mankowich, lately of The Knolls, in Stonybrook, NY, after a prolonged illness, passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of April 14, 2020. She was 81 years young.
Raised in Freeport, NY, Mary was the daughter of John and Marguerite Muldowney. In this lively Irish Catholic family, her brothers Jack, Dicky, Bob, Ed, Kevin and her beloved sister Pat all shared and perfected the gifts of humor and tenderness of heart. Mary also possessed “movie-star” good looks and in 1960 married the love of her life, Bob Mankowich. It was a union that would last over 50 years.
Mary liked to tell the story of their first Christmas Eve away from home while living in Syracuse. She was so homesick they packed their bags and jumped in the car, but with little money on hand, she took the dollar bill that was folded in the tiny basket of her charm bracelet to pay the highway tolls. Family was everything to them. After settling in Commack, they went on to have seven children and a long line of adopted dogs. Somehow or other, a cat managed to work its way into the mix.
Known to everyone as “Mom” at the local Grand Union, the clerks often argued for Mary to choose their check-out counter or would open up another register to talk and share a laugh. She did not sugar coat things but had the ability to see the lighter side of most situations and the best in every person she met. At Burr Elementary School cafeteria where she worked for many years, she remembered the children’s birthdays or would soothe some of their rougher days with an extra cookie or treat.
For many years, alongside Bob, Mary actively supported the local wrestling community, particularly all five of her sons as they competed at the high school and college levels. Co-founders of the Commack North wrestling booster club, they raised money throughout the season to fund a year-end team banquet and provide awards, which were given to every member of the team. They were also very supportive of their two daughters who were both cheerleaders at the High School.
Predeceased by her loving husband in 2013, Mary is survived by her children Michael (Kathleen) of Nutley, NJ; Peter (Lisa) of Chesterfield, MO; Thomas (Christine) of Frederick, MD; Karen Mankowich of Petersburg, VA; Paul (Maureen) of East Windsor, NJ; John (Lucille) of Lake Ronkonkoma, NY; and Laura Mankowich Porter (Scott) of Alexandria, VA. She will always be “Gammie” to her 13 grandchildren. Surviving siblings include Edward and Kevin Muldowney, as well as Patricia McGovern and many loving in-laws, nieces and nephews. She leaves behind many life-long friends. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation. Mary’s nephew, Richie Muldowney, a member of FDNY, Ladder Co. 7, lost his life on 9/11 while saving the lives of so many others.
A Mass of the Resurrection and celebration of Mary’s life will take place at a later date.

“I see skies of blue and clouds of white
The bright blessed days, the dark sacred nights
And I think to myself what a wonderful world”

“The colors of the rainbow so pretty in the sky
Are also on the faces of people going by
I see friends shaking hands saying how do you do
They’re really saying I love you”

You will always be with us Mom!