Marie Rose Chrzanowski (76) passed away on October 28, 2024 at Brooke Grove Nursing Center, Sandy Springs. She was born on July 20, 1948 in Baltimore Maryland to Leonard Peter and Regina Bridget Widra (both deceased). She is survived by her husband, Edmund A. Chrzanowski Jr (Deacon Ed) of 53 years, Daughters Michele M. Gannon (Shawn), Jennifer L. Rowe (John Jr), Sons Edmund A. III (Kathy), and John L. (Sarah), as well as brother Robert Widra and sister Regina Knisley.

Marie attended Towson State Teachers College, where she attained a Bachelor Degree in Early Childhood Education (1971). One of her favorite moments in college, and she was sure to share it with people when she met them, was that Niel Armstrong gave her a special gift on her 21^st birthday, by walking on the moon. She then used her degree by becoming a student teacher at Deerfield E.S. in Harford County, where she continued in the early years of her career.

After her husband was Honorably Discharged from the Navy in 1976, she became a stay at home mom in St. Leonard, Maryland, volunteering through Girl Scouts, the Calvert County Public Schools, and at their church, St. John Vianney Catholic Church in Prince Frederick, Maryland. She was a girl scout troop leader, the director at Camp Bay Breeze, and held various PTA positions throughout her kids’ childhood. She taught catechism (CCD) at St. John Vianney and eventually became the Director of Christian Beginnings Preschool of Saint John Vianney (established 1996). Near the end of her tenure as director, she began doing the Children’s Liturgy of the Word, during 11:00 am  Sunday mass. In 2018, she resigned her position as director of the preschool, but continued her service with the Children’s Liturgy of the Word. Marie always claimed her mission in life to be the protector of God’s children, which was evident through her volunteering.

God also blessed her with eight grandchildren to protect: Elizabeth Marie Rowe, Samantha Amisha Chrzanowski, Esme Michele Rowe, Antonia Shreya Chrzanowski, Meghan Margaret Chrzanowski, Alex Edmund Gannon, Erik Michael Gannon, and Caitlyn Michaela Chrzanowski.

She and her husband retired to Owings Mills, Maryland in 2022. She especially enjoyed special outings around her hometown, while holding tightly to the many tremendous memories and relationships that occurred during her 45 years in Calvert County. She was happy to spend her remaining years attending events for her grandchildren, and being able to see them more often.