Marie Barbara Sowa, age 82, of Wilmington, DE, passed away on Good Friday, April 14, 2017 after a brief illness.

Marie was born in Freeland, PA on August 15, 1934, daughter of the late Michael and Sophia Klapinsky. Valedictorian of Freeland High School Class of 1952, she married her sweetheart, Thomas Sowa, in 1953 and moved to Newark, DE. She was a spirited and independent woman. She loved her family and was proud of the accomplishments of her children and her grandchildren. She retired as an assistant professor at Cecil Community College and was active in the Newark Historical Society and the Newark Senior Center. She enjoyed square dancing, reading, and solving cryptograms.

Marie is survived by her best friend and beloved husband of 63 years, Thomas; 2 children, Dr. David Sowa and his wife, Karen, and Donald Sowa and his wife, Debbie; 3 grandchildren and their spouses, Alexandra Sowa and Peter McPartland, Victoria Sowa Gordon and Michael Gordon, and Matthew and Melanie Sowa; 2 great-grandsons Peter and Henry McPartland; and her brothers, Michael and Raymond Klapinsky.

A visitation will be held at R. T. Foard and Jones Funeral Home, 122 W. Main Street, Newark, DE, on Monday, April 17 from 6 to 8 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial in celebration of Marie’s life will be held on Tuesday, April 18, at 10:30 AM at St. Joseph on the Brandywine Catholic Church, 10 Church Rd., Greenville, DE. Interment will follow at St. Joseph on the Brandywine Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions in Marie’s name be made payable to the “Newark Senior Center” or the “Newark Historical Society” and sent in care of the funeral home.