Mary B. Surma

Of Buffalo Grove

Mary B. Surma was born September 5, 1930 in Chicago to Charles and Rose Bezenhoffer. She passed away on May 7, 2021 at her home in Buffalo Grove.

Mary B. Surma was a feisty and outspoken woman with a long and wonderful life.

Born in 1930, she was one of seven children. She married her childhood sweetheart, John, in 1954. They went on to have three children and many adventures together. During her kids’ younger years, her home was the safe space and hangout for the neighborhood kids. Everyone was always welcome there. She even helped her kids and many of her kids’ friends find their first jobs. The family enjoyed camping together and annual trips to Spooner, Wisconsin. Later, Mary was a selfless caregiver to John when he became ill. The two were inseparable until his passing in 2000. She was also an adopted “Oma” to many cherished young people. She was also grandma to several grand-dogs and a few spoiled farm animals, too.

Throughout her life, Mary had many hobbies and interests. An avid sports fan, you could often find her cheering on her beloved Bears or White Sox (but never the Cubs). She loved to gamble and was often a lucky winner at the gambling boat or when playing LCR on Christmas Eve with family and friends. An amazing cook, she must have made us her famous potato salad and homemade pierogi a thousand times for various gatherings over the years. It was just that good!

She loved many things – dogs, reading a good mystery novel, chocolate, Magnum ice cream bars, and watching NCIS to name a few. But she really loved to travel. Her top three destinations were Budapest, Vienna and Prague for her 80th birthday. Speaking of birthdays, on her 62nd birthday, she surprised us all by getting a large, colorful butterfly tattoo on her ankle. Mary celebrated her 90th birthday last year. We will love and miss her forever. Until we meet again.

Mary is survived her children Linda Surma, Janet Surma and John (Chanin) Surma; her sister Frances (Joseph) Swiderski; her sister-in-law Jacklyn Bezenhoffer; She is auntie, great auntie and oma to many.

Mary is preceded in death by her husband John Surma; her siblings Anne Johnson, Theresa (late Stanley) Stefanski, Fred Bezenhoffer, Charles Bezenhoffer, and Margaret Daley; her father and mother-in-law John and Sophie Surma; brother and sisters in law Leo Surma, Wanda (late Chester) Trawczynski, Ted (late Helen) Surma, Eugene Surma, Joseph Surma and by her parents.

Visitation Monday, May 10, 2021 from 3:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Glueckert Funeral Home Ltd., 1520 N. Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights. Prayers 9:15 AM Tuesday, May 11, 2021 at Glueckert Funeral Home to St. Mary Parish, 10 N. Buffalo Grove Road, Buffalo Grove, IL for Mass at 10:00 AM. Interment Maryhill Cemetery.

Funeral Information and condolences can be given at www.GlueckertFH.com or (847) 253-0168.