Obituary of Mary Frances Wittebort

Mary Frances Wittebort, 82, of Morgantown, formerly of First Ward, passed away Monday, March 21, 2016, at Mapleshire Nursing Home. She was born in Morgantown on June 12, 1933, the daughter of the late James and Hazel (Javosky) Nowakowski. Mary was a member of St. Theresa and St. John University Parishes. She graduated from St. Francis High School and later attended West Virginia University. She was a past member of The Pines Country Club, received great pleasure from golfing, dancing, and entertaining friends. Mary was a bookkeeper for many years having worked for Cowen Baking Company, Seneca Glass Factory, Montgomery Ward, and Morgantown Florist. She is survived by her three children: Debora Lanum of Fredericksburg, VA, James Anthony “Tony” Sawczyszyn (Nicolle) of Morgantown, WV, and Rosalyn Neumann (Tom) of Omaha, NE; three grandchildren: Wade Lanum (Nicole) of Omaha, NE, Tricia Lanum of Lexington, SC, and Anthony D. Sawczyszyn of Morgantown, WV; two great grandchildren: Corbett and Ben Lanum of Omaha, NE; two sisters, Sophia Seaburg of Greensboro, NC and Hazel Ann Laskody of Hartville, OH. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husbands: Tony Sawczyszyn and Cyrano “Lefty” Wittebort; her sister Lithisia Nuce and her son-in-law Wade Lanum, Jr. The family would like to thank Mapleshire Nursing Home for their outstanding care of Mary Frances for the last 2 ½ years. The family will receive friends at Hastings Funeral Home on Monday, March 28, 5-8 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. John University Parish on Tuesday, March 29, at 11 am with Father Jeremiah George Lange O.S.B., Ph.D. as celebrant. Inurnment will follow at Beverly Hills Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in Mary’s memory to St. John University Parish, 1481 University Ave, Morgantown, WV 26505.