Mary (Berg) Kapalo

Mary (Berg) Kapalo

A Beautiful Smile -

Mary (Berg) Kapalo, age 95, of Mechanicsburg transitioned peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family and into the awaiting arms of her beloved husband on Sunday, November 10, 2019.  Mary was born on Monday, May 5, 1924 in Perth Amboy, NJ to the late Paul Bernhardt Berg and Henrietta (Makel) Berg-Reickert.  Mary was the widow of John Kapalo, whom she married on September 8, 1946, and who died on February 18, 2010.  In addition to her parents and husband, she is preceded in death by her beloved dog, Honeybear.

Mary’s survivors include her daughter: Christine Anne Kosa of Mechanicsburg; her two grandchildren: David Stephen Kosa of Krakow, Poland, Valerie Anne Kosa-Roberts and her husband, Jason, of Slatington; her younger brother; her younger sister; and her several nieces and nephews.

Mary graduated from Perth Amboy High School as part of the class of 1942. She was a long-time member of Saint Katharine Drexel Catholic Church in Mechanicsburg. Mary retired from Revlon, Inc. in Edison, NJ, after 27 years of service working as a Quality Inspector. Previously, Mary was a factory worker for Johnson & Johnson, in New Brunswick, NJ, where she met her husband John. The two fell in love and were married.  On their way to Niagara Falls for their honeymoon, they came down with terrible colds during a stop in Watkins Glenn, NY and never made it to Niagara Falls.  On their 50 year wedding anniversary, their family surprised them with a dinner and a trip to Niagara Falls. Mary was a child of the depression era; and at eight years old went to work cleaning houses to help with her family’s expenses. In an effort to help her family weather wintery conditions, Mary wrote a letter to President Roosevelt asking for help. Imagine her family’s surprise when government aid workers brought, blankets, shoes, warm clothing and coal to their home. Mary had many talents.  She had a beautiful voice and loved to sing, especially the German/American songs that she and her cousins enjoyed.  She also loved to crochet, garden and cook. She grew lovely flowers and delicious vegetables.  Mary preferred her New Jersey tomatoes to those she grew in Pennsylvania.  She made sure that Valerie was sitting on the counter while she cooked and Sunday dinners were always mandatory.   Family was always very important to Mary.  She helped to raise Valerie and David, while Christine and her husband were working.  Teaching Valerie to cook and listening to David play classical guitar were times that Mary cherished.  She had immense pride for both of her grandchildren.  Her family will remember that she was very accepting of people; and her door was always open to family, friends and neighbors.  She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

All are welcome to join Mary’s family at her viewing on Friday, November 15, 2019, from 9:15 a.m. until 10:15 a.m at Buhrig Funeral Home & Crematory, 37 East Main Street, Mechanicsburg; and for her Liturgy of the Word Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. at Saint Katharine Drexel Catholic Church, 1 Peter Drive, Mechanicsburg, PA 17050; with Reverend Kenneth G. Smith officiating. Burial will immediately follow in Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Mechanicsburg.

Mary’s family has entrusted her care to Buhrig Funeral Home and Crematory in Mechanicsburg, (717) 766-3421.  Read Mary’s full obituary, view her memorial video and portrait, and sign her official guest book at Buhrig.com.