Obituary of Mary E. Gienko

Mary E. Gienko (Fian), (66) beloved wife of Jim, was called by the Father to Heaven on Saturday June 13, 2015. Sweet Mary was born into this world on August 3, 1948 in Evanston Illinois to the loving parents of Joseph and Betty Fiandaca. After graduating from Niles Township High School, Mary attended Northern Illinois University earning a Bachelor of Science in Education with scholastic honors. Mary was a member of Kappa Delta Pi Education Society while attending NIU. In 1977; Mary received her Master of Arts in Teaching from Northeastern Illinois University and taught social science at Maine West Township High School for 33 years retiring in 2003 and moving to Punta Gorda Florida with her husband. During her teaching career Mary received the Outstanding Young Educator Award in 1975; the Distinguished Service Award from the Chicago Metro History Fair in 1979 and 1982; The Economics Education Award from the Illinois Council on Economic Education in 1986; and the Joint Council on Economics Education National Award for the teaching of economics along with numerous student appreciation awards and citations from her students. Mary was Senior Class and Prom sponsor for most of her 33 years at Maine West H.S. Upon retiring the school made Mary and her husband Jim honorary Prom Queen and King in honor of the number of proms they attended. Her recreational passions were scuba diving, travel and sailing. Mary became a scuba instructor and combined her love of diving and travel by diving in many parts of the world including Borneo, Fiji, Sipidan, Malaysia, the Pacific Northwest and extensively in the Caribbean and Florida. As a travel agent Mary was awarded a Charlotte Sun Readers Choice award for her excellence in service to her traveling clients. Mary and her husband Jim traveled extensively on their sailboat throughout Lake Michigan, Florida, and the Bahamas and cruised many of the Caribean Islands including the Virgin Island, the Windward and Leeward Islands and the Grenadines. Mary was a remarkable woman who was loved by all who knew her and she will be missed. Her children were her students. Mary is survived by her loving Husband Jim, Sister Susie (Alan) Zychowski of Des Plaines, IL. Brother In Law Robert (Sandra) Gienko of South Barrington, Il. Niece Misty Tavenner of Sarasota, FL. Nephew Joseph (Stacy) Tavenner of Buford, Ga. Robert and Randall Gienko of Chicago and Great Niece Hailey Carmicheal and Great Nephews Robert and Rocco Carmicheal. A celebration Mass of Mary's life will take place at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Punta Gorda, Florida on Thursday, June 25, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations should be made in Mary's name to the Lung Cancer Research Council of Southwest Florida or the Lung Cancer Alliance. Respects may be offered on the funeral home website at www.charlottememorial.com.