Harriet Geneva Cormier Kowalzyk

RUMFORD -- Harriet Geneva Cormier Kowalzyk, 97, passed away peacefully on January 20, 2013 in the loving care of her family.

She was born in Mexico on May 20, 1915, the daughter of Calixte and Julienne Cormier of Mexico. She was educated in Rumford schools, graduating from Stephens High School in 1932

A devoted mother of five children whom she raised after the early death of her husband, Henry Kowalzyk in 1956, Harriet was a well-known Rumford citizen. She worked on Congress Street for 30 years at Bartash Stationary.

A communicant of Parish of the Holy Savior, Mrs. Kowalzyk is remembered for her civic involvement, including Rumford Senior Citizens, St. John’s Guild past president, American Legion Auxilliary and the Community Hospital Auxilliary.

Surviving are her three daughters, Julienne Mullen and husband, Richard of Scarborough, Marilyn Desroches and husband, Donald of Newark, Delaware, and Nancy Giordano and husband, Vincent of Hopewell, Virginia; her son, Charles, her long time caregiver, of Rumford; son-in-law, Bruce Turgeon of Scarborough; grandchildren, Christopher Turgeon and wife, Stephanie of Augusta, Kirk Turgeon and wife, Jennifer of Brunswick, Jennifer Nevela and husband, Tom of Granger, Indiana, Andrew Mullen and wife, Heather of Portland, Patrick Mullen of Scarborough, Thaddeus Mullen and wife, Tiffany of South Portland, Christine Ruoff and husband, Mitchell of Wilmington, Delaware, Maria Robinson and husband, Dean of Anchorage, Alaska, Peter Desroches and wife, Caroline, Laurie Simpson and husband, William of Velrico, Florida, and Jeff Giroux of Mechanicsville, Virginia.

Harriet was also blessed with 20 great-grandchildren.

She was predeceased by her parents, her eldest daughter, Frances Turgeon of Brunswick, three sisters, Agnes, Anna and Leah Cormier all of Rumford; and a great-grandson, Peter Julian Desroches of Delaware.

The family has been strengthened for years by Harriet’s generous and cheerful nature. They extend their appreciation to Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice for providing comforting care, as well as caregivers, Martha Violette and Pauline Frazel.