Mary A. Renkiewicz

Mary A. Renkiewicz, 90, died May 2, 2024. Mary was the beloved wife of the late Richard W. Renkiewicz. Loving mother of Teresa (John) Guarascio, Ann (Mark) Kay, Joseph (Kathy) Renkiewicz, Nanette Renkiewicz & David (Cindy) Renkiewicz. Cherished grandmother to Christie (the late Edward) Fabinski, Philip Garbacz, Stanley (Denise) Garbacz, Lori (Shane) Davidson, Stephanie Kay, Joseph (Sarah) Renkiewicz, Jr., Kimberly Renkiewicz, Gabriel (Jenifer) Kay & Richard Renkiewicz and great-grandmother to Justin, Payton, Nolan, Ethan, Evelyn, Benjamin, Jocelyn, Abigail, Jaxson and Zachary. Also survived by her brother Carl Tierno and sister Gloria (Ted) Burzynski. Mary was born in Sioux City, Iowa. As a child, Mary survived polio and a ruptured appendix, and after the care she received from nurse Sally Nassif, this is what led Mary to the career of nursing. The nursing classes in high school gave her a fast track into nursing. Mary attended St. Francis Hospital of Nursing in West Virginia, graduating in 1954. She stayed on staff until 1955, then moved back to Sioux City, Iowa where she worked as a staff nurse at St. Vincent's Hospital from 1955-1957. Mary's nursing career continued at the "OLD" Children's Hospital of Michigan, in January 1957 as a staff nurse. Mary continued to work part from 1960-1965 while starting her family. From 1969 to 1980, Mary was the Pediatric Nursing Supervisor and was instrumental when they moved from the "Old Building" to their current location in 1971. In 1980, Mary was named Administrative Nurse Manager and held that position until 1985. Mary's education continued from 1983 to 1986 when she earned her Bachelor of Science in Allied Health Services from Marcy College of Detroit and completed her Master's Degree in Health Services Administration from the University of Detroit in 1986. She continued up the chain of command to become the Director of Clinical Nursing from 1985-1997. But Mary did not stop there...from 1997 to 2000, Mary took a few weeks off, returning to CHM as a staff nurse 2000-2019 working on the Audiology Department performing newborns hearing screening. Mary officially retired from Children's Hospital in October 2020. If life wasn't busy enough, Mary was a member of the CHM Auxiliary; was a member of the Hamtramck Board of Education where she served as Secretary and Vice President from 1976-1988 and again in 1990-2002. Mary also served on the Board of Directors for the Ronald McDonald House in Detroit from 1998-2000 and is still a member emeritus. She was also a Red Cross volunteer where she coordinated blood drives for the Hamtramck Public Schools from 1976-1985. Mary was also a vocational instructor at Hamtramck High School from 1974 to 1976 where she taught a Co-Op Nursing Aides program. All of her students during these 2 years went on to nursing careers. A few of Mary's greatest honors were when she received the Sparky Anderson's CATCH Hall of Fame Award in 1985 for her dedication and Advocacy for Patients and Families and the Ronald McDonald House of Detroit Distinguished Volunteer Award in 2002. Mary was predeceased by her parents Rose (née David) Tierno and Dominic Tierno and sister Jeanine Keys. Memorial visitation Friday, May 17, 2024 from 3-8 p.m. at the Wasik Funeral Home, Inc., 11470 Thirteen Mile Road (West of Hoover) Warren. Family and friends will gather at the funeral home on Saturday, May 18, 2024 from 10 a.m. until a 12 p.m. memorial service. NO FLOWERS PLEASE - In lieu of flowers, the family would be honored if donations in Mary's name were addressed to The Ronald McDonald House of Detroit, MI at https://rmhc-detroit.org/ or to Children’s Hospital of Michigan Foundation (Teaching/Education Program) at https://yourchildrensfoundation.org/ways-to-give/

Mary A. Renkiewicz

May 15, 1933 - May 2, 2024