Edna Szymanski

Mrs. Edna Kohl Szymanski, age 89, passed away peacefully at her home in Pass Christian on Sunday, December 4, 2011 with her children at her bedside.
Mrs. Szymanski was a lifelong resident of Pass Christian. She was owner and operator of the Olympia Cafe. She will be most remembered for her tireless efforts as a volunteer for St. Paul's Catholic Parish and the City of Pass Christian. Her volunteer work spanned more than 40 years. She excelled as a community leader and city promoter, receiving the Outstanding Citizen of Pass Christian Award in 1972, Distinguished Service Award from the American Cancer Society in 1975, selected as Beta Sigma Phi's Woman of the year in 1993, and the Pass Christian Chamber of Commerce recognized her for outstanding service in 1980-83. She reigned as St. Paul's' Carnival Association's Queen Christiana XLI in 1974. Her proudest accomplishment was the Lumen Christi Award for exceptional service to the Archdiocese of Biloxi awarded in 2006.
In addition to her volunteer work, Ms. Szymanski was a lifetime member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Veteran of Foreign War Post 5931, Gulfport Elk's Lodge 978, the Rotary Club and the St. Paul's Altar Society and choir.
Mrs. Szymanski is preceded in death by her husband, Frank P. Szymanski, Jr. and her son John Timothy Szymanski. She is survived by five daughters; Irma Mallini (Dewayne) of Pass Christian; Eileen Clifton (Wayland) of Gainesville, Florida; Julie McAdamss of Gulfport; Deborah Bonilla of Gulfport; Daria Sapet (Mario) of Biloxi, and one son Frank Peter Szymanski III (Jean Marie) of Biloxi; 22 grandchildren, 29 great grand children and 2 great, great granddaughters.
Visitation will be held on Friday, December 9, 2011 from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. with a Mass of Christian Burial at 3:00 p.m., at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 720 East Beach Boulevard, Long Beach. Interment to follow at St. Paul's' Catholic Cemetery. Tributes may be made at www.riemannfamily.com.