Mary Zabojnik, 92, beloved wife and mother, passed from this life February 17, 2023.  She is preceded in death by her husband, of 35 years, Emil Joe Zabojnik; parents John and Mary Spaniel and siblings George, Olga, Johnny, Bernice and Raymond and son in-law Rick Sparkman.

Mary is survived by daughter Monica Jo Sparkman, son Emil Jr. (Lin), daughter Saundra Ann Zabojnik, daughter Dana Michele Rudy (Blake), son Craig Allan (Brenda), five grandchildren; Ashley Sparkman Denbow (Keith), Daniel Sparkman (Magen), Matthew Zabojnik (Lizzie), Michael Zabojnik (Jordan), Jackson Zabojnik, six great grandchildren; Holland Denbow, Blake Denbow, Brady Sparkman, Jolee Sparkman, Teigen Sparkman, Amelia Zabojnik.

Mary was born in the Spring of 1930, in Ennis, Texas.  She was the first girl and second child of John and Mary Spaniel. Growing up on a farm, Mary knew the value of hard work. After graduating from Saint John High School in Ennis, she worked at a local hardware store, and saved enough money to seek employment in Dallas, Texas at Lone Star Gas Company. In later years, she found employment at Sears Roebuck and Company. In the fall of 1955 Mary and Emil were married at Saint John Nepomucene Catholic Church in Ennis, Texas.  They worked and lived in Dallas and started their family. As a dedicated mother and homemaker, she was very devoted to her family.

Both Emil and Mary found joy in gardening and had a beautiful flower garden at their first home in Dallas. They would often give a bouquet of fresh flowers to Saint Augustine Catholic Church for Sunday mass. As their family grew, Emil and Mary decided to move to the country. They purchased land in Palmer, Texas where they built a house, barn, chicken coup and created a farm.  The family had two large vegetable gardens and many farm animals.  They took care of every stray animal in need of a home. It was a great place for their children to grow up.  There were many family dinners, often times with food that was grown from the garden.  Mary enjoyed  cooking and made the best onion rings and fried squash. She was an exceptional seamstress, and often made clothing for the family.  She even made clothes for her daughters' barbie dolls. In her spare time, she painted landscapes. Everything she created was beautiful.

After Emil passed in 1991, Mary moved from the Palmer farm to Ennis, Texas. There she enjoyed gardening and loved sitting quietly on the back deck with a cup of coffee in hand listening to birds sing.

One request Mary made was to have a bouquet of flowers in her hand so she could bring them to the Blessed Virgin Mary, whom she always kept close to her heart.

Mary left this world with no regrets other than leaving her family.  She will be missed, but she is whole again, with Emil and delighting in our Heavenly Father's home.

Visitation will take place Sunday, February 19, 2023 from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. at J. E. Keever Mortuary, Inc. in Ennis. Rosary will be recited at 5 p.m.

Mass will be celebrated Monday, February 20, 2023 at 10 a.m. at St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church in Ennis.  Interment will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery under the direction of J. E. Keever Mortuary, Inc.