Mary Ellen McCormick Pliszka

Mary Ellen McCormick Pliszka passed away peacefully on April 28, 2026 at 94 years of age in Houston, Texas. Mary was born June 7, 1931, in Madison, Wisconsin. She was the third oldest in a family of nine surviving children. Mary had many stories about growing up during the Great Depression with a big family in a two-bedroom house that her parents bought new in 1930. After graduating from East High School class of 1950, Mary worked as a nurse’s aide at City Hospital in Madison, then as a secretary at Farmer’s Mutual. Mary met the love of her life, UW, Madison student George Pliszka, at a dance at Turner Hall where her own dad was working part-time as a bouncer. They married on August 30, 1952. The young couple then travelled to Houston, Texas where George had gained a position with Shell Oil Company. In the coming decades, many transfers to other US locations and one overseas assignment ensued. Through it all, Mary made sure her children were well taken care of while also hosting gatherings for friends and Shell co-workers and volunteering for local organizations. In 1989, Mary and George retired to Santa Fe, New Mexico where they lived eleven years before moving to Austin, Texas to be closer to their children and grandchildren. After George’s death in 2020, Mary lived out the final years of her life at The Buckingham in Houston, Texas. Throughout her life, Mary volunteered for many organizations. Among them were Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, PTA, UNICEF, and Santa Fe Opera. She gave her time helping patients in hospitals as a candy striper. Mary also taught CCD classes at St. John Vianney Catholic Church in Houston. Mary will be remembered by her children Steven (Alice Narvaez), Diane (Don Geller), and Nancy (Eric Sirgo); grandchildren Matthew (Dori Snyder) Geller, Audrey (Clark Connett) Sirgo, Andrew Pliszka, Alex Sirgo, and David Geller; great-granddaughter Charlotte Connett, as well as many nephews, nieces, grand and great-grand-nephews and nieces. Mary’s family would like to express thanks for the care that she received from the Buckingham Memory Care Staff and her private aids from Always Best Care, especially Luciana Rickson. May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face; the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand. ~ Irish Blessing

Mary Ellen McCormick Pliszka

June 7, 1931 - April 28, 2026