[Baran Photo]

Mary Baran (1904 - )

Mary Baran Celebrates 100th Birthday With Family and Friends

by Chester Skarbek

New Jersey - Numerous family members and many dear friends joyfully gathered together in December to congratulate, and happily share in celebrating a new Polish-American centenarian on her 100th birthday. Namely our gracious and beloved Mary Baran. Mary is everyone's dearest and lovable Ciocia, as she is fondly called, is adored and admired and is cherished with affection.

Mary Baran exuded her warm charm and pleasantly greeted everyone with sincere kindness and gentleness. She graciously thanked all present for joining her to celebrate this wonderfully precious day in her life.

Our beloved Ciocia's Golden Birthday Jubilation was exceedingly joyful and a very festive affair.

There were many heartwarming personal touching moments of endearment, and also tender emotional moments of loving embracements of hugs and kisses lavished on our lovable honoree. Mary Baran. Mary's treasured guests greeted each other enthusiastically and also exchanged hugs and kisses with each other, and were delighted to partake in Mary's festive jubilee.

Mary recalled interesting and amusing anecdotes. The were unforgettable and delightful, especially her recollection of her childhood years in Poland as a young Polish girl. Wonderful hostesses Anne and Del, daughters of Mary received gratifying compliments for arranging this grandiose "STO LAT" party for their mother.

Mary Baran was born in Elizabeth, NJ on December 8, 1904 to Anna and Franciszek Pieta. She was raised in Brzozow, Poland - the Podkarpackie region of Poland. As a young girl, she returned to the United States because this is where she wanted to live. Mary has lived in Cranford, N.J. since 1966.

Mary Baran has two daughters, Anne Krowicki and Del DelGaudio, both of Cranford. She has four granddaughters, Linda Grochmal, Robin Price, Debbi Bromley and Lisa Faraone. She has five great grandchildren, Geoffrey Grochmal, Nicole, Joe, Erica and Ryan Faraone. Mary has one sister Victoria Pietrusiak who lives in Santa Barbara, CA; she also had a brother Ludwig Pieta and a sister Charlotte Lorentz, both deceased.

Thank you Ciocia for those splendid golden 100 years.

Szczesc Boze

Submitted by Chester Skarbek

Source: The Post Eagle, Feb. 9, 2005