Mary E. Pavelko, enjoyed traveling

Mary E. Pavelko, 97, of Milton, died Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2022, at Bayhealth Kent General, Dover.

Mary was born in St. Louis, Mo., daughter of the late Joseph and Katherine (Bartos) Markus. Mary went to work for Western Union in California, where she met the love of her life, Tony Pavelko. Once they were married, she traveled extensively with her husband Tony during his 20-year naval career, and lived in Havertown, Pa., for many years before moving to Milton in 1989. She was a member of both Milford and Milton Senior Centers and the CHEER Center in Georgetown, where she participated in Merry Makers and Cheerful Notes choral groups. She was a member of St. John the Apostle Catholic Church in Milford. She also served as a volunteer at the H.O. Brittingham Elementary School in Milton. She enjoyed traveling with her late husband and participated in many trips with Milford Senior Center and the Adult Plus group in Georgetown.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Anthony J. "Tony" Pavelko Jr.; her son Anthony J. Pavelko III; two brothers, Joseph Markus Jr. and John F. Markus; and three sisters, Rose Zimmerman, Margaret Rose and Catherine Gowins.

She is survived by two sons, Mark D. Pavelko and Carl C. Pavelko; three daughters, Judith Marie Miller, Mary Jean Pavelko Snyder and husband David Snyder, and Teresa Anne Grey and husband Robert Grey; one brother, Charles Markus; as well as four grandchildren, Zhanna Pavelko Snyder, Emma Grey, Daniel Grey and Geoffrey Matthew Miller.

Services and burial will be private at the convenience of the family.

Arrangements by Lofland Funeral Home, Milford.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to Meals on Wheels, c/o Milton CHEER Center, 24855 Broadkill Road, Milton, DE 19968; or St. John the Apostle Catholic Church, 506 Seabury Ave., Milford, DE 19963.

Letters of condolence may be shared with the family at loflandandmcknatt.com.