Mary S. Best
September 8, 1921 ~ December 2, 2018
MARY SKENDROVICH BEST
On December 2, 2018, Mary Best passed away peacefully in Vienna, VA, where she resided for 53 years.
Mary was born to Jerome and Pauline Skendrovich in Sharon, PA, on September 8, 1921. She grew up with her sister, Barbara and brother Steve. She graduated from Thiel College in Greenville, Pa where she met her husband of 50 years, William Best. Majoring in Mathematics she was recruited by Westinghouse to become a human computer. However, her husband’s military career pulled her away from Pennsylvania and finally landed the family in the Washington, D.C., area. After her youngest child was in elementary school, she continued her education in library science and became a librarian at McLean High School in the Fairfax County School System. She enjoyed many happy years there celebrating her love of books and reading, working with the students and developing many lasting friendships.
One of these friendships introduced her to the civic organization, The Civitan Club of Tysons, where she remained a member for over 40 years.
Mary had a love of learning which she pursued her entire life by taking classes in various topics, reading all genres of books and of course completing her daily Washington Post crossword puzzle, frequently consulting with her brother Steve. She was predeceased by her husband, William J. Best, her brother Steve Skendrovich, sister Barbara Skendrovich and is survived by her three children: William (wife Jennifer) of Surprise, AZ; Barbara of Vienna, VA; and, Carolyn (husband Albert Ozimek) of Reston, VA, and three grandchildren: Vincent Best (wife Phoebe) of Tucson, AZ; Kathryn Ozimek, and Jeffrey Ozimek, both of Reston, VA.
All are invited to celebrate her life on Monday, March 18, 2019 at Our Lady of Good Counsel (OLGC) Church, 8601 Wolftrap Road SE, Vienna, VA 22182, beginning with visitation at 10 AM in the chapel, followed by a Celebration of Life Mass at 11 AM in the church. Immediately following the mass, a luncheon will be served in the OLGC DeSales Hall. Burial will be at 3 PM the same day in Arlington National Cemetery.
Mary bravely persevered the insidious effects of vascular dementia for 5 years. We would like to applaud the many organizations which assist patients and their family members through this difficult journey of memory loss. To that end, in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Mary’s memory to the Alzheimer's Foundation (alzfdn.org) , 322 Eighth Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10001.
On December 2, 2018, Mary Best passed away peacefully in Vienna, VA, where she resided for 53 years.
Mary was born to Jerome and Pauline Skendrovich in Sharon, PA, on September 8, 1921. She grew up with her sister, Barbara and brother Steve. She graduated from Thiel College in Greenville, Pa where she met her husband of 50 years, William Best. Majoring in Mathematics she was recruited by Westinghouse to become a human computer. However, her husband’s military career pulled her away from Pennsylvania and finally landed the family in the Washington, D.C., area. After her youngest child was in elementary school, she continued her education in library science and became a librarian at McLean High School in the Fairfax County School System. She enjoyed many happy years there celebrating her love of books and reading, working with the students and developing many lasting friendships.
One of these friendships introduced her to the civic organization, The Civitan Club of Tysons, where she remained a member for over 40 years.
Mary had a love of learning which she pursued her entire life by taking classes in various topics, reading all genres of books and of course completing her daily Washington Post crossword puzzle, frequently consulting with her brother Steve. She was predeceased by her husband, William J. Best, her brother Steve Skendrovich, sister Barbara Skendrovich and is survived by her three children: William (wife Jennifer) of Surprise, AZ; Barbara of Vienna, VA; and, Carolyn (husband Albert Ozimek) of Reston, VA, and three grandchildren: Vincent Best (wife Phoebe) of Tucson, AZ; Kathryn Ozimek, and Jeffrey Ozimek, both of Reston, VA.
All are invited to celebrate her life on Monday, March 18, 2019 at Our Lady of Good Counsel (OLGC) Church, 8601 Wolftrap Road SE, Vienna, VA 22182, beginning with visitation at 10 AM in the chapel, followed by a Celebration of Life Mass at 11 AM in the church. Immediately following the mass, a luncheon will be served in the OLGC DeSales Hall. Burial will be at 3 PM the same day in Arlington National Cemetery.
Mary bravely persevered the insidious effects of vascular dementia for 5 years. We would like to applaud the many organizations which assist patients and their family members through this difficult journey of memory loss. To that end, in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Mary’s memory to the Alzheimer's Foundation (alzfdn.org) , 322 Eighth Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10001.
A memorial tree was planted in memory of the decedent.