Mary Gdowski

Mary McCloskey Gdowski died peacefully at her home after a lengthy illness.

Mary was born in Fremont, NE on September 29, 1932 to Patrick and Alma McCloskey. Mary spent her early years in Long Beach, CA until both of her parents died when she was quite young. She returned to Nebraska and lived with her sister and brother-in-law Lucille and Carmen Cregar. Mary attended and graduated from St. Bonaventure High School. After graduation, she worked as a secretary for General Telephone in Columbus. On June 14, 1952, she married Dick Gdowski at St. Bonaventure Church. Dick was in the Marine Corps and they lived in California and Hawaii for two years before returning to Columbus. Shortly thereafter, they moved to Omaha where Dick attended Creighton University. After Dick graduated from Creighton, they returned to Columbus where they raised their family of five children - Susan (Doug) Fleetwood, Karen (Don) Mroczek, Nancy (Dave) Huston, Mark (Leigh Ann Merrill) Gdowski and Sandra (Chris) Podany.

Mary was a devoted mother and wife, and a very loving and giving person. Her life was a testament of her strong Catholic faith. She will be dearly missed by her family and everyone who knew her. She was active in her children's lives as a Girl Scout and Cub Scout leader, and involved in St. Bonaventure Home and School and Scotus Mothers organizations. Her Church commitments included service as a Lector, Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist, President of the St. Bonaventure and St. Isidore parish councils, and a member of St. Isidore Christian Mothers. She enjoyed traveling in Europe and China, and participating in the Formal and Cosmopolitan Dance Clubs.

Her numerous civic accomplishments include Columbus Days Queen Isabella XIII, President of both the Women's Area Chamber of Commerce and Columbus Crime Stoppers, appointments to the Columbus City Council and Nebraska Commission on the Status of Women, and designation as an Honorary Admiral in the Nebraska Navy.

Mary was part owner of Gateway Realty and Insurance. She became a Realtor after raising her family, enjoyed selling houses, and served a term as President of the Columbus Board of Realtors. For her professional achievements, Mary was presented the Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce's Athena Award.

Mary is survived by her husband Dick of 63 years, her five children, 12 grandchildren - Nicholas (Melissa) Mroczek, Matt Mroczek, Dr. Kyle Mroczek, Kari Mroczek , Cody Mroczek, Nathan (Kaitie) Podany, Dr. Tony (Sarah) Podany, C.J. (Dani) Podany, Chris Gdowski, Andy Gdowski, Dan Huston, and Sara (Ryan) Vienna, and eight great-grandchildren - Mia, Cooper, and Hadley Mroczek, and Adelyn, Jack, Baker and Anniston Podany, and Jack Vienna.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Pat, Claude and John and her sister Lucille Cregar.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Isidore Church, Scotus Central Catholic High School, or donor's choice.