Mary Caroline Zylowski

Mary was born on October 3, 1961, in Cleveland, Ohio, to Stanley and Angelica Zylowski. She grew up in Parma, Ohio, attending local schools and graduating from Nazareth Academy in 1979. She received her BA in Anthropology at California State University of PA in 1983. She had a passion for history and her favorite courses involved participating in archaeological digs, where she learned surveying and grid mapping. After working at Colonial Williamsburg and Monticello dig sites, Mary joined the City of Charlottesville Gas Division where she worked for 32 years. She knew where every gas line in the city was located. She also charmed many Charlottesville residents as Flicker the Flame.

After retiring, Mary worked for RMC Events at UVA. She enjoyed helping visitors through the entrance gates. Her favorite pastimes included bird watching, hiking, sewing and embroidery. She amazed everyone with her unique sewing creations and cutting-edge fashion sense.

Mary enjoyed several years of retirement, maintaining a close circle of neighborhood friends. She had a soft spot for animals and kept several pet rabbits. She always carried treats for neighborhood dogs and had an open-door policy for neighborhood cats.

Mary had a generous heart and her corneas have been donated. Please consider being an organ donor.

In addition to her parents, Mary was preceded in death by her sister, Elizabeth.

Mary is survived by her sisters Angelica Harris (Doug); Stanja Zylowski; Gloria Royal (Bryan) and by her brother, Stanley; as well as many cousins and relatives. She was a delightful, fun-loving aunt and great-aunt to Seth Harris; Masha Harris; Silas Harris; Terry Hurley; Amy Hurley; Colette Royal; Violet Royal; grand-niece Emmeline Hurley and grand-nephew Sam Harris. She is also fondly remembered by her neighbors and coworkers.

A private memorial ceremony will be held at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to SARA of Charlottesville (saracville.org), Audubon Society of Northern Virginia (audubonva.org), Patrick Henry’s Red Hill (redhill.org), Thomas Jefferson Foundation (monticello.org), and the American Cancer Society (cancer.org).