Mary M. Florka

Mary Florka (Hidek) The Lord called Mary home, surrounded by her loving family, on March 26, 2021. Mary was 102 years old, just shy of her 103rd birthday. Mary was born in the coal mining and steel-producing town of Charleroi, Pennsylvania on June 19, 1918. As an infant, Mary survived the Spanish flu pandemic of 1918. When she was 16, she boarded a bus and came to Detroit, Michigan in the midst of the Great Depression seeking work. She found work cleaning houses. There was a family market in her neighborhood called Florka’s Market. A young man who worked there caught her eye and she would go to the market every few days and order some bologna, just to catch a glimpse of him. Joseph and Mary were married on November 27, 1937. They raised three children, a daughter (Patsy) Patricia, a son, Stephen, and a son, Joseph. They were married 68 1/2 years. Mary was very committed to her Catholic faith. She was very active in her neighborhood watch programs and attended her local police meetings. She loved the church festivals and attended as many as possible with her family. Her grandchildren’s friends all called her “Gramma” and enjoyed going to church festivals with her. Her husband would get up every morning at 6:00am to go to the local bakery in Hamtramck to get her a half loaf of fresh bread and two pastries. Mary was very devoted to her family. Mary enjoyed traveling; especially the trips back to Charleroi, Pennsylvania and Bath, New York to see family and old friends. This Easter, Mary will be sharing her traditional Easter dinner with her brother (Paul Hidek), her husband (Joseph J.), and her son (Stephen) in Heaven. Mary is predeceased by her loving husband Joseph J., son, Stephen and his wife, Kathleen, and her brother, Paul Hidek of Bath, New York. Mary is also preceded in death by her loyal and loving dog, Timmy. Mary is survived by her daughter; Patricia (James) Jones, son; Joseph F. (Marne) Florka and loving grandmother of Robert (Pamela) Jones, Thomas (April) Jones, Sharonann, Alana (Andrew) Borkowski, Cameron and loving great-grandmother to Matthew, Meghan, and Samantha. Visitation Friday (April 9th) 2-8 p.m. at the Wasik Funeral Home, Inc., 11470 Thirteen Mile Road (west of Hoover) Warren. Instate Saturday (April 10th) 10:30 a.m. until time of Funeral Mass 11 a.m. at St. Malachy Catholic Church, 14151 Fourteen Mile Road (east of Schoenherr) Sterling Heights. Interment Mt. Olivet Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society or the Capuchin Soup Kitchen. *Due to the current restrictions a maximum of 25 people are permitted at a time and everyone must wear a mask or face covering at all times while in the building. Thank you for your cooperation*

Mary M. Florka

June 19, 1918 - March 26, 2021