Ms. Ann Marie Kurko Obituary (1944

ATTLEBORO - Ann Marie Kurko, of South Attleboro, formerly of Boston, passed away at home on Sunday, February 12, 2017. Born on May 26, 1944, in Boston, MA, she was a daughter of the late Albert G. and Sarah (Hawley)Kurko. Ann Marie is survived by her siblings; Kathleen, Albert, Sarah and Maggie; her nephews, Diego Amanti, Nebi and Nebil Gunasti; sister-in-law, Julie Perez Kurko; her nieces, Sabrina Kurko Gunasti, Adriana Amanti and Chrissy McGowan; She is the sister of the late George and Mary Ellen; aunt of the late Stephen Scialdone; niece of the late Rose Hawley and uncle, Leonard Vanderhoop of Gayhead, MA; and her aunt, Mary Kurko; also her beloved friends the late Kathy Simpson, Nadja Varney, Judy Berard, Butchy Simpson and Fawn Fantasia. Ann Marie grew up in Boston and when she was 14 she started Working at Nazareth’s Home for Children in Jamaica Plain. Ann Marie loved children but she always said, "They can’t be the boss of you, you have to be the boss of them.’’ Yes, she was the "boss” but a good boss whom the children loved. Every Christmas season, Ann Marie would bring a dozen kids to our home for a party. Eventually Ann Marie moved on and became a franchise owner of Papa Gino’s in South Attleboro. All of her training held her in good stead when she had many teenage employees and when she threw parties for the kids and let them make their own pizzas. After about 10 years, Ann Marie opened her own restaurant, Ann Marie’s Italian Kitchen in Norton, MA. Even though she worked hard at the restaurant, she found time to initiate a "Read with Ann Marie" program in conjunction with Mansfield Elementary Schools. And of course—anything for a party- on Saturday’s in December, she would have, "Breakfast with Santa” and the wonderful Santa would arrive at the restaurant in an antique automobile to the delight of the kids and adults alike. As if that wasn’t enough, Ann Marie continued to work in her community and became the President of the newly formed Tri-Town Chamber of Commerce and afterwards served on the Board of Directors. She held many positions in her life, as a chaperone for Massachusetts Contestants at Miss America Pageants, Ann Marie was on the Board of Directors for 30 years for School Talk, Inc., a non-profit-group that produced SCHOOL TALK, TV/Internet talk show on education. Which airs on Rl PBS. She initiated the "Read with Ann Marie” program for the Mansfield Elementary Schools; Ann Marie was on the Massachusetts Host Committee with Paul George, President of Boston Soccer for the World Cup Soccer in 1991. She was also a guest on SCHOOL TALK TV/Internet talk show with Paul George. She was the Treasurer and on the adult support team for youth activities for the First Baptist Church in Foxboro. Ann Marie was always involved in the community and helping people without expecting acclaim. Recently we bumped into a friend of hers, "Joe” and he told us how Ann Marie helped him regain custody of his son. And as we told him, “We’ve heard your name for years and she never mentioned helping you out. As that was her way. When unfortunately she had to close her restaurant, she became a loan originator at Mansfield Bank and even though through those years: she had to undergo chemotherapy, she did so without complaint. She was and is an unsung hero to her family and friends. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a visitation on Saturday, February 18, 2017 from 10 am - 12 pm, at the Duffy-Poule Funeral Home, 20 Peck St. Attleboro. A funeral service will be held immediately following the visitation at 12 p.m. in the funeral home. Burial will follow in the Newell Burying Ground, 1502 .West Street, Attleboro, MA.