Maureen Elizabeth Gontarek

Maureen Elizabeth (Rostetter) Gontarek, of Alexandria, Virginia, passed away on February 24, 2025. Born June 12, 1943 in Staten Island, New York, she was the only child of Elizabeth (Bessie) and Charles Rostetter. She is survived by her two children, Erika Gontarek Yanick (Ron) and Paul Gontarek (Sherry), and her beloved grandchildren, Benjamin and Lillian (Andrew).

Always proud of her Staten Island roots, she moved to Virginia where she started her family with (now ex-) husband, Stan Gontarek, before setting off on the adventure of a lifetime to live in Brussels, Belgium. While raising two young children and caring for her own mother, she somehow found time to volunteer coaching youth sport teams, serving as school nurse and other volunteer positions which allowed her to be involved in her children’s activities. Her children recall the sweaters she knit for them as well as homemade costumes for Halloween each year. Many might recall the beautiful cakes she would bake, but her family remembers the aroma that would linger long after the cake was sent off. Maureen loved to travel and delighted in the depth of history she was able to experience while overseas. She took the unique opportunity to learn the art of lace making right where it all started. When the overseas adventure ended and the family returned to the Northern Virginia area, she began working at the Patriot Center under the Washington Sports Entertainment Group. She loved her work there but more so, she treasured the friendships she had there (as well as all of the wonderful shows she was able to be a part of (her children and grandchildren also remember many of these shows fondly). Always a history buff, she loved to volunteer as docent at the Smithsonian Museums and local historical sites.

Maureen delighted in her family, especially her grandchildren – they were her pride and joy. She always had a smile and a helping hand for those around her. It was well known that during her career spanning more than two decades, Maureen was on time just twice – her first day of work and her grandson’s first day of Kindergarten. She was late for everything! We’d hoped she would be late for her transfer to her after-life and regret that she has left us so soon.

The family will gather at the Cunningham Turch Funeral Home, 811 Cameron Street, Alexandria, VA 22314 on Monday, March 3, 2025 from 1:00 PM until 3:00 PM

The family requests memorial contributions to the Macular Degeneration Foundation www.macular.org or the American Diabetes  Association www.diabetes.org