Mary Marie (Elizabeth) Tomasunas Kumko

Mary (Marie) Elizabeth Tomasunas Kumko, age 94. It is with profund sadness that her family says goodbye and announces her passing on 19 June 2013. Her presence was a gift and she will be greatly missed. Mary was born to John Tomasunas and Helen Zemaitis Tomasunas on 7 November 1918, and lived her whole life on the northwest side of Grand Rapids. She spent her last eight years giving and receiving love in the home of her daughter Jean and husband Wayne. The eldest of nine children, Mary learned early the meaning of selflessness, and yet she never complained nor expressed regret for the many responsibilities she carried from a young age. She married Edward J. Kumko in 1938. They were together for 62 years, until his death in 2000. Mary’s family was her love and joy. She personified kindness and spent a lifetime putting others’ needs ahead of her own. A devout Catholic, she was deeply spiritual, and her strength came from a love of God with an enduring devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. She often said that there was no trouble so large that it could not be eased by prayer and an appeal to St. Jude. Her example taught those around her how to face life’s joys and its difficulties. Her faith, her trust in God, was one of the greatest gifts she passed on to her children. Another was her needlework, which was legendary. Every family member is warmed by her spectacular quilts and crocheted afghans. Her legacy renews itself continually in them. The world around her was better for her presence in it. Mary was predeceased by her husband and her devoted son Dennis R. Kumko; five brothers, Albert Tomasunsas, John Tomasunas, Edward (Brother Thomas, OFM, Cap.) Tomasunas, Walter Tomasunas, and Charles Tomasunas; and two sisters, Agnes Tomasunas and Eleanor Tomasunas Karaitis. She leaves behind two daughters, Jean (Wayne) Garlick of Rockford, MI, and Margaret (Dr. Thomas) Hardy of Danville, VA; eight grandchildren, Todd (Annette) Garlick of Dearborn, MI, Andrew Garlick of Grand Rapids, Kristin Garlick (Gerald) Dyson of Monroe, MI, Dr. Brian (Tara) Hardy of Austin, TX, Dr. Kevin Hardy of Cleveland, OH, Dr. Cullen Hardy of Windsor, CT, Brenton (Tracie) Kumko of Jenison, and Kimberly Kumko Dubay of Cedar Springs; daughter-in- law Margaret (Wilczynski) Kumko of Grand Rapids, brother William Tomasunas of Newaygo, and nine great-grandchildren. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, 29 June 2013 at St. Adalbert’s Basilica at 11:00 am, Rev. Joseph Kenshol, presider. The family will greet friends one hour preceding the service. She will be laid to rest next to her husband at Holy Cross Cemetery. Those wishing an expression of sympathy are asked to consider the Restore the Glory fund at St. Adalbert’s Basilica, 654 Davis Ave. NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504.

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Mary Marie (Elizabeth) Tomasunas Kumko

November 7, 1918 - June 19, 2013