Mary Shreve Burkhard

Mary Shreve Burkhard (nee Zofchak)

Mary Zofchak Shreve Burkhard passed away peacefully on September 11, 2016.

Born in Ubres Kusin, Czechoslovakia, in July of 1920, as Maria Zofcacova, she came to the United States through Ellis Island, in 1923 and became Mary Zofchak. She always wished to go back and see the country again, but it wasn't possible.

She loved diversity - people, art, style, music, etc. - and to that end, she worked at many jobs including nightclub photographer at the old downtown Akron clubs on N. Howard St. in the 1940s, sewing the K Ships together at Goodyear Aerospace, seamstress-tailor, tent maker, pie baker at Polsky's, cook, salesperson for her husband's print shop, Suicide Hotline crisis counselor, and then for many years at SWAP (Senior Workers Action Program), which she thoroughly enjoyed until 1997. Her favorite job, though, was mom. Her family was the most important thing in her life - she loved how they all made her laugh and feel alive, and nothing was better than everyone around the big table.

Mary was very independent, strong-willed, determined, (stubborn?) and loved to try new things. She excelled at most of them, including sewing, wallpapering, drawing, painting, sculpting, and writing. We hope she's finally trying watercolors.

Mom was preceded in death by her devoted husband, Leonard A. Burkhard, and her beloved daughter, Linda Marcus and son-in-law Michael. She leaves to miss her, sons and daughter-in-law, Michael and Katharine Shreve, John Zofchak, and Russell Shreve; daughter and son-in-law Sharon and Paul Lorentzen; Also stepsons Richard Burkhard, Robert Burkhard (Norm Burns), and loving friend, Penny. Her nieces and nephew, grandchildren Michelle, Eric, Adrianne, Amanda, Ellery, Aaron, Ryan, Tammy, Jim, Robbie, twelve great-grandchildren.

Eternal thanks to those who nurtured, cared for, and loved Mom, the ones who did their jobs well, with love and respect. Most especially Nancy, Judy, Mike, Beverly, Theresa, Paul, Elsie, Tamara, Julie, Helen, Susan, Darshonda, the SCU staff, and all the others. We wish we could name them all. Those who really cared are angels on earth. She did not wish to be a burden on others, and they were wonderful with her.

Cremation has taken place. A short service will be held 6:30 p.m. this THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 15th at the Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel, 85 N. Miller Rd., Akron 44333-3792,where friends may call 1 hour before. Private inurnment at Holy Cross Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please do a kind deed and pay it forward in her name, enjoy a good lunch, or spend some time with loved ones. (Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel)