Of all my friends and families I’ve lost over the years, the passing of Maria Mihok was an emotional one for me. In my adolescent and teenage years, she was like a second mom to me, Momma Mihok. I was always over the Mihok house hanging out with her son Bob, my best friend growing up, always treated like one of their own kids, having me stay for dinner and hanging out for hours. When my parents would go away on vacation, Momma Mihok welcomed me into her home as one of her own to stay with the family. I can still remember every minute there. She always had a loving smile on her face. When I grew up, met my wife to be, Bonnie and eventually moved to the California, we lost touch with many of the Mihoks only seeing them on occasions when coming home to see family. I remember one trip many years ago when I went over to see Andy, she went all out and made me dinner like I never had been gone. The last time I saw her was at her grandson Bobby’s wedding. The smile on Momma Mihoks face was so big when she saw me, I actually got choked up and had a big smile too. My wife Bonnie, who may not have known her as long as I did, could feel the love pour out of Momma Mihoks smile all the time, too. I had a picture taken with her that day of the wedding and look at it once in a while with other family pics of my own family and just smile.

Maria was a wonderful woman, full of love and life whose smile was nearly radiant as her heart. From the first moment I met her she made me feel loved and appreciated. The world has some of its luster.

I have always told everyone that I had the best mother-n-law in the world, Maria. She welcomed me with open arms and always made me feel at home. We always loved to visit her and looked forward to her wonderful cooking. The kids loved to look at pictures and hear her stories about when their father, Ed, was young. We will all miss you very much but we take comfort in knowing that you are with Pop now.

Maria was the best mother in law and a great cook!!! I loved working with her for 13 tax seasons. I know she is with the love of her life, my father in law Ed and her grandson, my baby boy Michael. I know she was met by many many more loved ones and greeted by our maker with the words well done good and faithful servant.