Maryann Pollina Sterzel

Maryann Sterzel will be lovingly remembered during a memorial Mass at 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 6th at Resurrection Catholic Church, 3833 University Blvd N. Reception will follow. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society or American Cancer Society.

On March 27th Mrs. Sterzel lost her eight-year battle with leukemia and lymphoma and won victory into God’s ever loving arms. She died in the arms of her daughter, Suzanne, at Morris Center for Caring, Community Hospice of Northeast Florida.

Born Maryann Pollina in the Flushing area of the borough of Queens, New York, Mrs. Sterzel was a 1955 graduate of the all-girl Dominica Commercial High School in Jamaica, NY. She went to work in Manhattan, where she met and married her engineer husband, Richard Sterzel. The Sterzels and their two small children were living in Center Moriches, Long Island, when his company transferred them to Jacksonville in 1978.

The same year, Mrs. Sterzel went to work as a part-time classified ad writer. By the next year, she had joined the secretarial ranks, first in Transportation, then the Mailroom and Distribution, and finally, the Newsroom, where she became executive secretary to the editor in 1979. She was named director of the Editorial Library in 1983. Mrs. Sterzel was still currently employed and dedicated to Morris Communications throughout her entire battle with her illness.

As a wife and homemaker, she also excelled. When her husband of 50 years suffered a stroke 22 years ago, she became his sole caregiver. She capably kept her home in tiptop shape and her yard filled with flowers.

As a neighbor, she supported her community, serving Fairways Forest Civic Association as a block captain and two years as its treasurer. At her death, she was on the board of directors as its recording secretary.

As a mother, her adult children, Suzanne of Jacksonville and Christopher of San Diego, CA find her to have no equals. She loved us and believed in us from beginning to the end and always made us feel the goodness of life in every moment and every circumstance. “She knew every corner of our hearts, and was a true example of grace in a world of few” said Suzanne. She always felt her mission in life was to bring love and compassion to everyone that she came in contact with and now God will bring these to her as she rests forever in His care. “We will not say goodbye to you precious one, but God be with you until the day that we will meet again.” As the sun rays shine from the clouds from horizon to horizon, we will just need to be still and know that you are there.

In addition to her husband, son and daughter, Mrs. Sterzel is survived by a sister, Rose Salerno of Galloway, NJ; a brother, Paul Pollina of Arden NC; and her beloved granddog, Abigail.

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