Mary Kowitz

Mary Jean Kowitz, of Woodbury, passed away Dec. 22, 2014 at the age of 82, following a courageous battle with cancer and parkinson's.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 am Monday, Dec. 29th at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 920 Holley Ave, St. Paul Park with visitation one hour prior. Interment church cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the National Parkinson Foundation.

Mary Jean (Sward) Kowitz was born February 21, 1932 in Cambridge, Minnesota to Arthur and Frances (Pangerl) Sward. In her younger years, the family moved to St. Paul Park where she graduated from high school in 1950. On May 1, 1954, Mary Jean was married to Robert "Bud" Kowitz at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church. She worked at the Sears Catalog Outlet in Cottage Grove for several years before taking a clerical position at the Farwell, Ozmun and Kirk Hardware Wholesaler in South St. Paul until she retired in 1987. Mary Jean and Bud enjoyed spending the winter months in Florida for the last several years. She enjoyed shopping, dancing and a good conversation. Mary Jean was a proud member of the St. Paul Park Lioness Club. She loved her family, friends and spending time with people.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Arthur and Frances Sward. Mary Jean is survived by her husband of 60 years, Robert "Bud"; children, Jeff (Lorraine), Mary Jo (Wyeth) Lewis and James (Kim); 12 grandchildren, Ksenia, Kayla (Javier) Sanmiguel, Mary Beth, Abby, Paula, Robert, Faith; Heather, Jesse and Daniel Lewis; Ben (Kira) and Chelsea (Gene) Russell, Jessa Wicklund; 2 great-grandchildren (and one on the way); brother Donald Sward; sisters, Ruth Kraft and Frances O'Boyle; many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.