Sharon M. Czyzewski 1940-2012

Retired educator taught TPS, parochial students

12/25/2012

Sharon M. Czyzewski, a retired educator who taught math and English at Toledo high schools and was active in St. Ignatius Catholic Church, died Friday in Mercy St. Vincent Medical Center. She was 72.

Mrs. Czyzewski, of Oregon, died of complications from pnemonia and suffered from congestive heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, said Daniel Czyzewski, her husband of nearly 50 years.

Mrs. Czyzewski's teaching career covered a more than 30-year span, including assignments at Toledo parochial schools and high schools within the Toledo Public Schools system, Mr. Czyzewski said.

"She loved working with the kids," he said.

Mrs. Czyzewski began her teaching career in 1962 at Franklin Elementary in Toledo after earning a bachelor's degree from the University of Toledo. But, a year later she took a break from the classroom to begin raising her family.

"At that time, once teachers were pregnant and started showing, you were done and couldn't teach," Mr. Czyzewski said. "She wanted to be home with the kids, and once the kids got old enough she wanted to go back to teaching."

She resumed her teaching career in parochial schools of the Toledo Catholic Diocese; first at Our Lady of Perpetual Help and later St. Adalbert on Lagrange Street and St. Anthony in Lambertville.

She returned to Toledo Public Schools in the 1980s, teaching math and English at Scott High School. She also taught Rogers High School students who attended classes at Toledo Botanical Gardens. She continued her career at Toledo Technology Academy, housed in the old DeVilbiss High School, and finished at Waite High School, retiring in 1998.

Mr. Czyzewski said his wife kept in contact with many of her former students through Facebook.

Judy Martin Thomsen, a grade school and high school classmate of Mrs. Czyzewski, said she took control of the classroom and earned the respect of students.

"She was never for one minute in her entire teaching career intimidated by any students. She knew how to handle the kids," she said.

Mrs. Czyzewski was born Aug. 27, 1940, to Forest and Eleanore Rogers. Her father was an inspector for the Toledo Fire Department. She attended Blessed Sacrament Grade School and Notre Dame Academy, graduating in 1958.

In addition to an undergraduate degree, she received a master's degree in education from UT.

Mr. Czyzewski met his wife, who was then Sharon Rogers, at the old Kroger in Swayne Field Shopping Center, where his mother worked. He said he returned to Toledo after his discharge from the Army and went immediately to surprise his mother. He ended up meeting his future wife who was a cashier at the grocery. They were married Feb. 27, 1963.

Mrs. Czyzewski belonged to St. Ignatius Catholic Church in Oregon, and was a member of the church's liturgy committee, her husband said.

Mr. and Mrs. Czyzewskis enjoyed traveling and took an Alaskan Cruise about five years ago. They also enjoyed vacationing in Traverse City and Gaylord, Mich.

Surviving are her husband, Daniel; daughter, Therese Anne Jordan; son, Martin D. Czyzewski; brother, Jeffrey Rogers, and four grandchildren.

A memorial gathering will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday in St. Ignatiius Church, Oregon, followed by a funeral Mass at 11 a.m.

The family suggests tributes to Notre Dame Alumnae Organization or St. Ignatius Church Building Fund.

Contact Mark Reiter at: markreiter@theblade.com or 419-724-6199.