Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory

Mary Wanda Kish, 97, a long-time resident of Clinton, MD, passed away on July 22, 2016 at Gilchrist Hospice Care, surrounded by family.  Born on April 2, 1919 in Washington, PA, Mary was the sixth of nine children born to the late John and Rose Kurek.  She outlived all of her brothers and sisters.  

Ambitious, even in her youth, Mary left school early to work and help her family through the Depression.  At the age of 18, she married her husband, Alfred Kish, of McKeesport, PA.  Mary worked at Isaly’s in Washington where she became a manager while also raising her sons and making a comfortable home for her family.  In the early 1960s, Mary and her family moved to Maryland, first to Capitol Heights and, in 1968, to Clinton.  Mary continued her career working in the credit department of the former Montgomery Ward Department Store in Hillcrest Heights and advancing to a loan collections officer at the Bolling Air Force Base Credit Union until her retirement.  As a collections officer, she was known as a “force to be reckoned with.”  

Mary had three great passions, cooking and baking, gardening and, most of all, her family.  She loved to entertain and create lavish meals for her family and friends.  Mary and her husband were always working in their yard, attending to their many flower beds.  Mary supported her sons’ endeavors throughout their lives.  In the 1950s, she was recognized by the Women’s Everyday Club with their Mother of the Year Award.  Mary received the award in New York where she also appeared on the Price Is Right and had lunch with Perry Como.  Mary had a great sense of humor; she loved to laugh and make others laugh too.  She also enjoyed polka music and dancing, knitting and crocheting.

In addition to her parents and siblings, Mary was preceded in death by her loving husband of 65 years, Alfred G. Kish, and three sons, James, Jerry and John Kish.  She is survived by her granddaughter, Christy (Brian) Foreman of Maryland; two grandsons, Jamey Kish and Jason (Christina) Kish of Florida; daughter-in-law, Linda Kish Chester of Odenton; six great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Friends are invited to celebrate Mary's life with her family on Monday, July 25 from 10:00 a.m. until her funeral service begins at 11:00 a.m. at the George P. Kalas Funeral Homes, 2973 Solomons Island Road, Edgewater, MD.  Interment at Trinity Memorial Gardens in Waldorf, MD. 

Online condolences and tributes may be offered by accessing the link in the left column.


Mary W. Kish

Mary W. Kish

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