Mary Jane Tworek

Mary Jane Tworek, of Park Ridge, IL, age 84 passed away peacefully at Glenbrook Hospital on Wednesday, June 21, 2023, surrounded by her loving family. Mary Jane was born in Chicago on December 8, 1938, to John and Jane Bowler. She graduated from St. Gertrude School, St. Scholastica Academy, and Mundelein College with a bachelor’s degree in teaching. She went on to achieve a Master of Science in the teaching of mathematics from the University of Illinois Chicago. She remained friends with many of her classmates throughout her life. Mary Jane was passionate about teaching. Over her career, she taught in the Chicago Public School system and at St. Francis Xavier School in Wilmette.

Mary Jane met the love of her life, Ron Tworek, during college, and after dating for two years, they married on November 25, 1961. Not surprisingly, Mary Jane invited her students to the wedding. Ron and Mary Jane moved to Park Ridge to raise their two daughters and son. Mary Jane was active in the community; she volunteered in the school system, taught religious education at Mary Seat of Wisdom, served as a Brownie troop leader, and she served as a community advocate. She enjoyed playing tennis and often asked one of her children to run over to the park to reserve a court for her and her friends. Mary Jane had a flair for fashion, always wearing just the right outfit to every event and often changing her hair color and style to stay ahead of the trends. For many years, in addition to teaching, she worked at Neiman Marcus to support her vast wardrobe.

Mary Jane and Ron enjoyed traveling to Marco Island, Florida, where they purchased a condominium to escape the Chicago winters. Family was important to Mary Jane. She valued spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. After Ron passed, she organized family trips to Disney World and a visit to her parents’ hometowns in Ireland. Her family will carry the memories forever.

Mary Jane is survived by her daughters Karen (Paul) Ernst and Deborah (Stephen) Piscitelli and son Michael (Ann) Tworek. Mary Jane was the proud grandmother of seven grandchildren, Matthew (Annie) Ernst, Brian (Beth) Ernst, Catherine (Andrew) Kosch, Joseph and Robert Piscitelli, Dylon and Emma Tworek, and two great-grandchildren, Jack and Nate Ernst.

We take comfort that Mary Jane is now reunited with Ron, who predeceased her in 2007. She was also preceded in death by her parents, John and Jane Bowler, and her sister, Kathleen Stawinoga. Mary Jane leaves behind a sister, Patricia Flaherty; a sister-in-law, Marlene Tworek; and many wonderful nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, July 8, 2023, from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at Ryan-Parke Funeral Home located at 120 S Northwest Hwy., Park Ridge. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow the visitation at 11:30 a.m. at Mary, Seat of Wisdom Catholic Church located at Cumberland and Granville Ave, Park Ridge. A livestream of Mass can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/@MarySeat. Gravesite Interment at All Saints Cemetery will follow. In lieu of flowers, donation checks in memory of Mary Jane would be graciously accepted to the Belmont Village Employee Fund at Belmont Village Senior Living Glenview, 2200 Golf Rd., Glenview, IL 60025. We are appreciative of the thoughtful and compassionate people who created a caring home for our mother at Belmont Village.

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