Mary (Franceschini) Kuzdenyi

Mary Franceschini Kuzdenyi, age 102, formerly of Brownsville, PA, and for the past 21 years a resident of Kinston, NC, passed away on November 10, 2018.

Mary was the daughter of Enrico and Carolina Franceschini, and the wife of the late Attorney A.J. Kuzdenyi. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family.

Both her parents, as well as her brother, Dr. Samuel Francis; her sister, Ida F. Nolan; and an infant sister, Rose, all preceded her in death.

Born and raised in Brownsville, PA, Mary attended Prospect Elementary School and South Brownsville High School, graduating in 1934. She obtained a B.S. degree in elementary education from California State College, in California, PA, in 1940. (California State College is now a University.)

Mary taught school in both Luzerne Township and Brownsville Area Schools in PA for 32 years. When in Brownsville, she attended St. Peter Historic Catholic Church. She was an organist there for over 20 years, and taught music at St. Peter Parochial school. She also taught Faith Formation classes in the parish for many years.

In Kinston, NC, Mary was a member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church, where she was one of the organists, and taught Faith Formation classes. She was also a lifelong member of the Catholic Daughters of America in Brownsville.

Four children survive her: Carol Kuzdenyi of Pacific Grove, CA; Atty. Bernadette Tummons of Uniontown, PA; Atty. Eric Kuzdenyi of Santa Monica, CA; and Annette Lapas, of Kinston, NC, as well as two sons-in-law: Dr. Donald Tummons of Uniontown, PA and Richard Pender, of Kinston, NC. Mary also leaves behind two nieces, three nephews, two great-nephews, a great-niece, and five grandchildren.

Services will be held at Garner Funeral Home on Monday, November 19, 2018, with visitation from 10:30-11:30 am with the funeral service following at 11:30 with Monsignor Douglass Reed officiating. A reception at Kinston Country Club will follow. Burial services will be private with interment at Westview Cemetery, Kinston, NC.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Holy Spirit Catholic Church, of Kinston, NC, St. Peter's Catholic Church of Brownsville, PA, or a charity of your choosing.