Obituary of Mary Jane Poltorak

Mary Jane (MJ) Poltorak, 86, currently of Birmingham, Alabama, passed away on January 9, 2022 at home with family at her side.  Mary Jane had been in declining health for the last several years.

She was born on June 26, 1935, in the City of Amsterdam, New York to Carl J. Natale and the former Rose Deluca. Growing up primarily on James Street, she graduated from Wilbur H. Lynch High School in 1953.  To the present day, she maintained close friendships from her school years.  After high school, Mary Jane went to work for General Electric Company, before switching to and retiring from the Knolls Atomic Power Lab in the year 2000.

The former Mary Jane Natale married Ronald Poltorak on October 7, 1956. The two were married for 59 years, raising their daughter Linda (Poltorak) Salmon of Birmingham, and son Michael R. Poltorak of Louisa, Virginia.

After retiring, Mary Jane and her husband moved from the Village of Hagaman, New York, to Fort Myers, Florida, enjoying many years there before health issues forced them both to relocate to Birmingham where her children were located.  She spoke with great love of her time in “Hot and Sunny” Florida.  There wasn’t a time that her love of life there kept her from being on the “Go”, especially to the beach! She lived her life to the fullest!

Mary Jane was a bright light to her family and friends.  A devout Roman Catholic, she enjoyed volunteering at hospitals, and performing acts of kindness to anyone she could help.  She loved family events, always filled with laughter and producing beautiful memories. She was so very proud of her family and spoke of this pride often.

In addition to her daughter Linda (John) and son Michael, she is survived by her loving grandchildren, Kristina Taylor of New Orleans, Louisiana, Andrea Crews (Brent) of Jonesboro, Arkansas, Chris Taylor of Birmingham Alabama, and Andy Poltorak (Amanda) of Cadiz, Kentucky.  She leaves 6 Great Grand Children, Jaden, Jaxson, Danika, Kyla, Kaylin, and Kaiden; as well as may other nieces and nephews.  A special thanks needs to be given to surviving Niece Donna McGann (Larry) of Saratoga, New York, with whom she had a special and beautiful relationship.  In addition to her husband, Mary Jane was pre deceased by her loving sister Rosalie Giaquinto (Bob) of Amsterdam, New York.  They were so very close, often mistaken for each other.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Tuesday, January 18, 2022 at 11a.m. at Historic St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, 156 East Main Street, Amsterdam, NY with the Rev. O. Robert DeMartinis as celebrant.  Burial will follow in Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Cemetery, Amsterdam.  Relatives and friends are invited and may call Monday, January 17, 2022 from 4 until 7p.m. at the Betz, Rossi & Bellinger Family Funeral Home, 171 Guy Park Avenue, Amsterdam.  Please visit the online memorial at www.brbsfuneral.com

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Cure Alzheimer’s Fund www.curealz.org