Birth date: Aug 13, 1951 Death date: Sep 15, 2021
Mary Magdalen Paska, lovingly referred to as Mads, 70, passed away suddenly on Wednesday September 15, 2021. Mads was born on August 13, 1951, in Baltimore, Maryland, daughter of the late John and Ruth Fischer (Meagher). She was Read Obituary
To Joe and Sons: Maria and I were shocked and saddened to learn of Mary's sudden passing. We were next-door neighbors for fourteen years, and we'll always remember the over-the-fence conversations and stories we shared, be it about the back yard gardens, our families, and your plans to retire to Delaware to be close to family. Our deepest condolences to you for the loss of your wife and mother, a most charming and friendly woman. Sincerely, Maria and John Wcislo, Crofton, Maryland.
To Ms. Paska (I don't think I ever was able to call her Mads) :Your family was a significant part of my life for so many years. You welcomed me with open arms as you did with all the kids that wandered through the door. I feel privileged to have known you and am thankful for the three boys you brought into this world. My life was forever changed because of them.
To Scott, Brian, and Nick : BIG HUGS... it's been a long time, but I love you all dearly.
To the rest of the Paska clan : My sincere condolences for losing such a remarkable and wonderful woman.
I feel humble to post my thoughts after everything it is already said here because I feel like an outsider. I am not part of the family, I am not relative, I live on a different continent. I didn't communicate too much with Mary and not as often as I wished. More precisely, I regret not saying her more often "thank you" because in these busy times we live, we always rush, chase deadlines and keep conversations short. But it comes a moment, like this one, when I wish to be able to express my deep gratitude for what Mary meant for my charity, to thank her for the extremely important role, professionalism, her loyalty and friendship. I leave it here, but it doesn't help much. It should have been said more often and at the right time! If there is a Heaven, if Mary is watching us from above, she already know all these, she knows that I missed her so much. Condolences to the whole Paska s family!
I was privileged to know Mary and to work with her from May 2009 until 2015. She was my first boss and regular contact at World Villages for Children. She was a person of enormous integrity, fairness and huge fun. She taught me a lot about getting stuff done and being brave. She leaves a huge hole in our lives and it should be some comfort to her family to know how very significant she was to so many and how very much she was respected and liked. She will be very greatly missed.
Nicola Lawson
I’m not sure what to say right now but Mads was without a doubt the greatest woman that I have ever met in my entire life! I met Mads in 1967 while helping my brother, Joe decorate the parish hall at St. Elizabeth for that evenings CYO (Catholic Youth Organization) dance. Being 13 at the time, I wasn’t sure as to why Mads was there with her friend, Sue, but she was ( she was actually from Sacred Heart of Jesus CYO) we all were helping to get the hall ready. Sometime during the next hour or so, I came to realize that this young lady was quite enamored with my brother and kind of asked me to assist her in getting my brother to see her in kind. That’s it. It happened. She and Joe began dating and got married and had children and grandchildren and throughout all of these years and life events the two of them remained loyal and built a life with each other that any person would envy.When times got rough for others, Mads was there to reach out. When others were mourning Mads was there with a hug. For 50 + years she was the glue that kept things together. She became the matriarch of our family. I was blessed to have a special relationship with her as a friend and a sister. As we mourn her unexpected passing, I really want to say thank you for the 54 years of love and friendship. Peace.
One afternoon, about a week after Bodhi died, Mary and I took a drive to get some tacos. On the short drive, we had a deep conversation about heaven and what we thought it would be like. Mary was so certain about heaven and what we thought it would look like. She was a devoted believer in Christ, and I remember finding a lot of peace and hope in that time of sorrow. I’m so thankful Nick married Audry and I got to know such an amazing woman.
Mads always had a smile on her face since I first met her in 1994 and enjoyed life to the fullest.
Even though we didn’t get to see each other very often. I enjoyed seeing all of her and Joe’s family adventures via Facebook.
I remember going to her home for Cierra’s first Thanksgiving 2004, while Dave was in Iraq and she and Joe and the rest of the family made me feel so welcome.
She’s going to be missed by so many and I’ll always remember that smile. RIP ❤️🙏
My very first memory of Mads was on the day Mom came home from the hospital. Mom was diagnosed with TB. I was 8 years old, and Mom was leaving to go to a TB hospital in Baltimore County. Mom handed Mads to me, and said take good care of your little sister. Mom had to leave. I had my own living baby doll. Our single Aunt May (my father’s sister) live with us. It was August, I had off of school, my favorite thing was to put her in a carriage and walk and walk with her sleeping soundly. Loved showing her off to all the neighbors, especially my friends. Our Aunt May did the cooking, our Aunt Marie did the laundry. My job was t take care of Mads. That bond that Mads and I shared in the 3 months that Mom wasn’t able stayed with me forever. We were connected in such a special way, it was even stronger than sisters. I don’t ever remember having an argument, bad words, misunderstanding or pettiness with her in my life. There was no way I ever would hurt her or her hurt me. I will miss her all the days I have left on this earth. Love you Mads, until we meet again.
