Mary Chezosky Laird

Mary Chezosky Laird, 100, passed away on Saturday, September 16, 2017, at her home in Easton, MD. She was born on August 31, 1917, in Star Junction, PA, to William and Anna (Milko) Chezosky. Mary grew up in Keister, PA, with many fond memories of helping her father on his small plot where, when not working at the coke ovens, he grew vegetables, raised chickens and rabbits, and kept a cow for milk. Prior to her marriage in 1941, Mary worked at McKinney’s, a fabrication company for locks and hinges in Pittsburgh, PA, where her older siblings, Mike and George, were foremen. Mary married Wilbert George Laird on April 12, 1941, in Pittsburgh, PA, and traveled with him throughout the United States during pre-war camp installations and his pilot/glider pilot training period. When Will was deployed overseas, Mary returned to reside with his parents, George and Elizabeth in Pittsburgh and helped with the war effort by sewing gas masks and parachutes. Upon his return after the war, (1945), Mary and Wilbert purchased their home in West View and began raising their family. Miss Mary always wanted to be a Mom and help others. She was an active member of the Christian Mothers of St. Anthanasius Church, Room Mother and cafeteria volunteer at the school. She enjoyed traveling with the local AARP group on day trips or overnight stays. She frequently made trips across the country to visit her children and to care for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was often called upon to help with ailing relatives and to care for young nieces and nephews. They remained in their West View home until 1999, when they moved to Easton, MD, to be nearer their children and grandchildren. Her love of family was evident to everything she did. Miss Mary was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 68 years, Wilbert in 2009; her brothers, John, Michael, George, Frank, Joseph; and sisters, Katherine and Helen. She is survived by her daughter, Diane M. Laird-Ippolito and husband John B. Ippolito of Easton, MD; son, Wilbert G. Laird, II (Rose Marie) of Millsboro, DE; her “grandson,” live-in caregiver and dear friend, Robert C. Medura of Easton; two grandchildren, Renee L. Brown of Lewes, DE, and Wilbert G. Laird, III (Laura) of Pasadena, MD; three great-grandchildren, Krysta C. Brown of St. Pete Beach, FL, Miranda E. Brown of Lewes, DE, and Wilbert G. Laird, IV, of Pasadena, MD; her sister Stella Grada of Pittsburgh, PA; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family. A visitation will be held on Monday, September 25, 2017, from 6-8 p.m., at Fellows, Helfenbein & Newnam Funeral Home, P.A., 200 S. Harrison St., Easton, MD. Mary will be interned in Arlington National Cemetery with Wilbert, her beloved husband, at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to your favorite charity.

Mary Chezosky Laird

August 31, 1917 - September 16, 2017