RUMFORD — Harriet Geneva Cormier Kowalzyk passed away peacefully at 97 years of age, Sunday, Jan. 20, in the loving care of her family.

She was born in Mexico, May 20, 1915, the daughter of Calixte and Julienne Cormier of Mexico and was educated in Rumford schools, graduating from Stephens High School in 1932.

A devoted mother of five children whom she raised after the early death of her husband, Henry Kowalzyk in 1956, Harriet was a well-known Rumford citizen. She worked on Congress Street for 30 years at Bartash Stationary.

A communicant of Parish of the Holy Savior, Mrs. Kowalzyk is remembered for her civic involvement, including Rumford Senior Citizens, St. John’s Guild past president, American Legion Auxiliary and the Community Hospital Auxiliary.

Surviving are her three daughters, Julienne Mullen and husband, Richard, of Scarborough, Marilyn Desroches and husband, Donald, of Newark, Del., and Nancy Giordano and husband, Vincent, of Hopewell, Va.; her son, Charles, her longtime caregiver of Rumford; son-in-law, Bruce Turgeon of Scarborough; grandchildren, Christopher Turgeon and wife, Stephanie, of Augusta, Kirk Turgeon and wife, Jennifer, of Brunswick, Jennifer Nevela and husband, Tom, of Granger, Ind., Andrew Mullen and wife, Heather, of Portland, Patrick Mullen of Scarborough, Thaddeus Mullen and wife, Tiffany, of South Portland, Christine Ruoff and husband, Mitchell, of Wilmington, Del., Maria Robinson and husband, Dean, of Anchorage, Alaska, Peter Desroches and wife, Caroline, Laurie Simpson and husband, William, of Velrico, Fla., and Jeff Giroux of Mechanicsville, Va.; Harriet was also blessed with 20 great-grandchildren.

She was predeceased by her parents; her eldest daughter, Frances Turgeon of Brunswick; three sisters, Agnes, Anna and Leah Cormier, all of Rumford; and a great-grandson, Peter Julian Desroches of Delaware.

The family has been strengthened for years by Harriet’s generous and cheerful nature.

They extend their appreciation to Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice for providing comforting care, as well as caregivers, Martha Violette and Pauline Frazel.

You are invited to share your thoughts, condolences and fond memories with the Kowalzyk family by visiting their guest book at www.SGThibaultFuneralHome.com.

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