Mary R. Karpowich

Mary R. Karpowich (nee Rajca), 104, of River Edge, formerly of Lakewood, NJ, passed away peacefully on November 7, 2024. Mary was born on June 12, 1920 in Philadelphia, PA to Zofia and Josef Rajca. She served during WWII, US Army, rank of Corporal, Women’s Army Corps (WAC) at the Armored Tank Division, Ft. Knox, KY. Prior to that, Mary was a civilian worker at the Philadelphia Arsenal, Small Arms Division. As a teenager, Mary worked summers at Groff’s Restaurant and Douglass Fudge on the Wildwood (NJ) Boardwalk. Mary later worked at The Bergen Record, earning many awards for her acumen in classified advertising, and also as a sales associate at Saks Fifth Avenue. Mary worked for 30 years as an Election Official until she was 98. Mary was a big Yankee fan, enjoyed college basketball games and the beach. She was skilled at ceramics, well known for sharing $2 bills with her grandchildren, and an avid letter writer. She loved her family’s dogs, cats and horses. She married Anthony B. Karpowich in 1944, a teacher, coach, and collegiate, military and pro basketball star. The couple were blessed with eight children, 15 grandchildren, and 15 great-grandchildren. Mary is survived by her children: Lorraine Karpowich (Pasquale Ciambriello), Kathleen Langer (Samuel), Anne Joyner (John), Anthony Karpowich (Joann), Missy Belger (Joseph), and James Karpowich (Larisa Tsvetkova). Grandchildren: Bradley Langer (Eileen), Matthew Langer (Katie), Richard Ciambriello (Coleen), Christina Ciambriello, Mark Langer (Stephanie), Justin Joyner (Elizabeth), Jonathan Joyner (Emily), Joseph Belger (Kristin), Peter Ciambriello (Olivia), Scott Langer (Rachel), Juliette Haggerty (James), Brandon Karpowich (Kimberly), Brianna Peterson (Erik), Jenna Karpowich, and James Karpowich, Jr. Great-grandchildren: Kaitlyn Langer, Emma Langer, Maeve Langer, Elizabeth Langer, Andrea Langer, Elise Langer, Rosalia Ciambriello, Nico Ciambriello, Jeremy Langer, Luca Ciambriello, Eleanor Joyner, Glada Ciambriello, Jack Joyner, Piper Joyner, and Olivia Belger. Nephew: John Rajca and niece Carolyn Rajca. Mary was predeceased by her son Lawrence (1945), brother Charles Rajca, Sr. (1966), husband Anthony (1972), daughter Anita (1983), brother-in-law Charles Dinger (2009), daughter-in-law June Karpowich (2019), sister Helen Dinger (2019) and nephew Charles, Jr. (2021). The family will receive friends and relatives at Volk-Leber Funeral Home, 268 Kinderkamack Road, Oradell, NJ on Friday, November 15, 2024 from 4pm-8pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Saturday, November 16 at 10am, St. Peter the Apostle Church, 445 Fifth Avenue, River Edge, NJ. Interment will be at George Washington Memorial Cemetery, Paramus, NJ. In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate donations to: The Residence at St. Peter’s. 415 Fifth Avenue, River Edge, NJ 07661 at www.stpetersresidence.org or Talisman Therapeutic Riding, 172 Blue Ribbon Lane, Grasonville, MD 21638 at: www.talismantherapeuticriding.org.

Mary R. Karpowich

June 12, 1920 - November 7, 2024