My mother, Jane Ellen Mnick, was born in Syracuse on August 2, 1919 to Kazmierz and Catherine Rugala Mnich. She spent her childhood living at 1113 Avery Avenue with her parents and siblings, Felix, Chester, and Helen. Mom was the youngest of the family.
In 1939, she married a wonderful man: William Kurgan of LaFayette. Mom and Dad lived in Syracuse until 1946 when they bought the house in LaFayette that would be their lifelong home.
My parents raised five children: Carolyn, Linda, Jean, Robert, and myself (Nanette). They worked hard and were the kindest and most loving parents ever. They enjoyed their grandchildren immensely. They had an abundance of love for them all: Mason Shrensel, Scott and Jennifer Halik, Erika, Monica and Andrea Trexler, Kelli Kurgan, Michael and Will Lewellyn, and Alex and Shane Alton; and nine great-grandchildren.
Mom worked many years at the LaFayette Public Library. She was also the school tax collector, active in PTA, Rosary Society, was a 4-H leader and a charter member of the LaFayette Garden Club. She was a communicant of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in LaFayette and was well known for her apple pies. She had many friends, including friends she had known from childhood all through her adult life. It seemed that everywhere we went, Mom found someone she knew. And if she went to a place where she didn't know anyone, she would make new friends. When I was very young, Mom taught me: "Make new friends, but keep the old; one is silver, the other gold."
Mom had a smile for everyone. Our home was always open to visitors at any time. My parents both enjoyed having friends and relatives come over to visit and share a meal. No matter if we knew they were coming or if they just dropped by; everyone was welcome! Mom often set extra places at the table if visitors came during dinnertime. There was food and hospitality enough for all to enjoy.
Mom and Dad had celebrated 61 years of marriage at the time of Dad's death in April 2000. Mom finally retired from the LaFayette Library in October 2000, at the age of 81. She missed Dad, but stayed as active as possible. She had to give up driving due to her loss of eyesight from macular degeneration, but never complained.
Mom passed away at age 91 after a short stay at Iroquois Nursing Home in Jamesville. I love her and miss her every day.
In 1939, she married a wonderful man: William Kurgan of LaFayette. Mom and Dad lived in Syracuse until 1946 when they bought the house in LaFayette that would be their lifelong home.
My parents raised five children: Carolyn, Linda, Jean, Robert, and myself (Nanette). They worked hard and were the kindest and most loving parents ever. They enjoyed their grandchildren immensely. They had an abundance of love for them all: Mason Shrensel, Scott and Jennifer Halik, Erika, Monica and Andrea Trexler, Kelli Kurgan, Michael and Will Lewellyn, and Alex and Shane Alton; and nine great-grandchildren.
Mom worked many years at the LaFayette Public Library. She was also the school tax collector, active in PTA, Rosary Society, was a 4-H leader and a charter member of the LaFayette Garden Club. She was a communicant of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in LaFayette and was well known for her apple pies. She had many friends, including friends she had known from childhood all through her adult life. It seemed that everywhere we went, Mom found someone she knew. And if she went to a place where she didn't know anyone, she would make new friends. When I was very young, Mom taught me: "Make new friends, but keep the old; one is silver, the other gold."
Mom had a smile for everyone. Our home was always open to visitors at any time. My parents both enjoyed having friends and relatives come over to visit and share a meal. No matter if we knew they were coming or if they just dropped by; everyone was welcome! Mom often set extra places at the table if visitors came during dinnertime. There was food and hospitality enough for all to enjoy.
Mom and Dad had celebrated 61 years of marriage at the time of Dad's death in April 2000. Mom finally retired from the LaFayette Library in October 2000, at the age of 81. She missed Dad, but stayed as active as possible. She had to give up driving due to her loss of eyesight from macular degeneration, but never complained.
Mom passed away at age 91 after a short stay at Iroquois Nursing Home in Jamesville. I love her and miss her every day.
My mother, Jane Ellen Mnick, was born in Syracuse on August 2, 1919 to Kazmierz and Catherine Rugala Mnich. She spent her childhood living at 1113 Avery Avenue with her parents and siblings, Felix, Chester, and Helen. Mom was the youngest of the family.
In 1939, she married a wonderful man: William Kurgan of LaFayette. Mom and Dad lived in Syracuse until 1946 when they bought the house in LaFayette that would be their lifelong home.
My parents raised five children: Carolyn, Linda, Jean, Robert, and myself (Nanette). They worked hard and were the kindest and most loving parents ever. They enjoyed their grandchildren immensely. They had an abundance of love for them all: Mason Shrensel, Scott and Jennifer Halik, Erika, Monica and Andrea Trexler, Kelli Kurgan, Michael and Will Lewellyn, and Alex and Shane Alton; and nine great-grandchildren.
Mom worked many years at the LaFayette Public Library. She was also the school tax collector, active in PTA, Rosary Society, was a 4-H leader and a charter member of the LaFayette Garden Club. She was a communicant of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in LaFayette and was well known for her apple pies. She had many friends, including friends she had known from childhood all through her adult life. It seemed that everywhere we went, Mom found someone she knew. And if she went to a place where she didn't know anyone, she would make new friends. When I was very young, Mom taught me: "Make new friends, but keep the old; one is silver, the other gold."
Mom had a smile for everyone. Our home was always open to visitors at any time. My parents both enjoyed having friends and relatives come over to visit and share a meal. No matter if we knew they were coming or if they just dropped by; everyone was welcome! Mom often set extra places at the table if visitors came during dinnertime. There was food and hospitality enough for all to enjoy.
Mom and Dad had celebrated 61 years of marriage at the time of Dad's death in April 2000. Mom finally retired from the LaFayette Library in October 2000, at the age of 81. She missed Dad, but stayed as active as possible. She had to give up driving due to her loss of eyesight from macular degeneration, but never complained.
Mom passed away at age 91 after a short stay at Iroquois Nursing Home in Jamesville. I love her and miss her every day.
In 1939, she married a wonderful man: William Kurgan of LaFayette. Mom and Dad lived in Syracuse until 1946 when they bought the house in LaFayette that would be their lifelong home.
My parents raised five children: Carolyn, Linda, Jean, Robert, and myself (Nanette). They worked hard and were the kindest and most loving parents ever. They enjoyed their grandchildren immensely. They had an abundance of love for them all: Mason Shrensel, Scott and Jennifer Halik, Erika, Monica and Andrea Trexler, Kelli Kurgan, Michael and Will Lewellyn, and Alex and Shane Alton; and nine great-grandchildren.
Mom worked many years at the LaFayette Public Library. She was also the school tax collector, active in PTA, Rosary Society, was a 4-H leader and a charter member of the LaFayette Garden Club. She was a communicant of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in LaFayette and was well known for her apple pies. She had many friends, including friends she had known from childhood all through her adult life. It seemed that everywhere we went, Mom found someone she knew. And if she went to a place where she didn't know anyone, she would make new friends. When I was very young, Mom taught me: "Make new friends, but keep the old; one is silver, the other gold."
Mom had a smile for everyone. Our home was always open to visitors at any time. My parents both enjoyed having friends and relatives come over to visit and share a meal. No matter if we knew they were coming or if they just dropped by; everyone was welcome! Mom often set extra places at the table if visitors came during dinnertime. There was food and hospitality enough for all to enjoy.
Mom and Dad had celebrated 61 years of marriage at the time of Dad's death in April 2000. Mom finally retired from the LaFayette Library in October 2000, at the age of 81. She missed Dad, but stayed as active as possible. She had to give up driving due to her loss of eyesight from macular degeneration, but never complained.
Mom passed away at age 91 after a short stay at Iroquois Nursing Home in Jamesville. I love her and miss her every day.
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