Mary Napolitano

(née Kryskow)

With sadness but wonderful memories and much love, we announce the passing of Mary Napolitano at the amazing age of 101. Mary had lived an incredibly full and happy life, thriving in her roles as a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was a strong, independent woman, very proud of her extensive gardens and a master of the “sweets tray”.

Born in 1924 in Poland to Mike Kryskow and Clara Plishka, Mary was the younger sister of Paul. Mary emigrated to Canada with her family at the age of 4, settling first in Alberta, later moving to the town of Hornepayne in Northern Ontario. At the age of 16, Mary moved to the big city of Toronto, where she began her working career. She met the love of her life Joe Napolitano when he returned from serving overseas in WWII and they were married in November 1946. Mary and Joe welcomed their daughter JoAnn, a few years later making their family complete. The family later moved downtown to Mary’s beautifully decorated home on Dagmar Cres. Mary managed the household, while working fulltime at Eaton’s, where she rose to the management level, an incredible feat for a woman at that time. Joe and Mary enjoyed a number of years of retirement at their waterfront home on Chemong Lake, keeping busy with renovations, gardening and doting on their granddaughter Jennifer. Joe passed away in 2007.

A strong and determined woman, Mary continued her independent life, driving her own car, managing her own household and volunteering at Y’s Buys, well into her 80s. Mary was creative, trying various needlework, knitting and crocheting projects; and her horticultural skills were evidenced by her ever-blooming gardens. She was an animal lover, feeding any stray cats that wandered by. However, most of all, she was a master in the art of desserts. Mary was fiercely protective of her many recipes for sweets of all kinds, with her daughter, granddaughter and great-granddaughter begging for the secrets with no success.

Mary is survived by her daughter JoAnn (Roger), her granddaughter Jennifer (Stephen) and was a doting Baba to Madison, Brooklyn and Avery.

The family will receive guests on Thursday, September 25th from 6:00 p.m. to 8: 00 p.m. at the Comstock-Kaye Life Celebration Centre, 356 Rubidge Street, Peterborough. A Funeral Service will be held on Friday, September 26, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Interment at Highland Park Cemetery. Donations can be made to Canadian Cancer Society, Diabetes Canada or Kawartha Food Share. Memories and online condolences may be shared at www.comstockkaye.com