Mary Gato

Mary A. Gato, 97, Coffeyville, Kansas, died early Monday, May 11, 2009 at Coffeyville Regional Medical Center. Mary was born August 1, 1911 at Scranton, Pennsylvania to Alex and Mary Zurinskas. She grew up and attended school in Scranton. Mary married Joseph Franko Gato, who preceded her in death in 1957. She worked for Morris White Fashion Pocketbook Factory in Scranton for 25 years before retirement. Mary was a member of St. Josephs Catholic Church, and St. Joseph Altar amp; Rosary Society. She moved to Coffeyville, 13 years ago and was a member of Holy Name Catholic Church and the Holy Name Altar Society. Mary loved to play pinochle and belonged to a pinochle club for 20 years while in Scranton. She also enjoyed church picnics. Survivors are a son, Joe Gato of Coffeyville; one daughter Joan Marie White and her husband, Dr. Donald C. White of Coffeyville; four grandchildren, John White, Lisa Foster, Denise Shufeldt and Teresa Young; eight great-grandchildren, Nicole Scott, Matthew Daily, Melissa Foster, Jason Foster, Jessica White, Alex Cinq-Mars, Kaylee Shufeldt and Dakota Shufeldt and two great-great-grandchildren, Zachary and Autumn Scott. She was preceded in death by her parents; by her husband and by three sisters, Helen Navagansky, Anna Jacobs and Veronica Zurinskas. Funeral mass will be held 2 p.m., Thursday, May 14, 2009 at Holy Name Catholic Church with Father Ben Nguyen officiating. Rosary service will be held Wednesday, 7:30 p.m., May 13 at Holy Name. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. 7 p.m. at Penwell-Gabel Ford-Wulf-Bruns Chapel, with family receiving friends from 6 7. Mrs. Gato will be returned to Troop, Pennsylvania for interment in St. Joseph Catholic Church Cemetery. Interment arrangements are by Solfanelli-Fiorillo Funeral Home of Scranton, Pennsylvania.