Maria Teresa Ryzlak, PhD, 86, passed away on October 20, 2022, at Avery Heights. Born February 27, 1936, in Augustów, Poland, Maria lived through World War II, fleeing from the Nazis and then the Soviets. After the war, she escaped Soviet-occupied Lithuania on a weekend visa to England. While living there, she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry and Physics and met and married her husband, Jan Ryzlak. They immigrated to America in 1964. Maria was a brilliant and loving Mother, with an infectious laugh and clever sense of humor. She earned a Master’s degree in Engineering. Later, she earned a PhD in Biochemistry at Rutgers University, where she worked at Waksman Institute. Maria was an incredible cook, who made amazing pierogis, potato pancakes, and chrusciki. Her tenacity and intellectual curiosity made for a great role model for her two daughters and three grandchildren, who loved her very much.

Maria is survived by a sister, Irena Sas; daughters, Maria and husband, Anthony Cornicello, Danuta (Dee) Gallagher and significant other, Jon Koch; and grandchildren, Sophia Cornicello, John (Jake) Gallagher and his significant other, Kathy Thompson, Colleen Gallagher-Seekins and her husband, Alec Seekins. Maria is pre-deceased by her husband, Jan Ryzlak and her brother, Roman Gray.

A graveside service will be Thursday, October 27, 2022, at 11:00am at Our Lady of Czestochowa Cemetery in Doylestown, PA. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to CT Foodshare (https://ctfoodshare.org). Online condolences may be made at www.SheehanHilbornBreen.com