Mary Allers-Korostynski
Mary Allers-Korostynski of St. Louis, formerly of Charleston, SC, Hermann, MO, and Nashua, NH passed away unexpectedly and peacefully in her sleep on Wednesday, August 14, 2024. Mary was born October 23, 1962, in St. Louis to Edward and Bernadine Allers and was raised on Charmbrook Lane in Maryland Heights, MO along with her only sibling, her beloved sister, Laura.
Mary graduated from Pattonville High School in 1981. After moving to New England, Mary met Bob Korostynski on a blind date in Nashua in 1994. That day began their 30 years together, for which Bob has eternal gratitude.
Before deciding to devote a vocation to a nursing career, Mary worked in Admin positions for various companies in St. Louis and Massachusetts including Hewlett-Packard, and she was very pleased to be part of the HP community. Mary graduated from Rivier College (now Rivier University) in Nashua with a BSN and was an esteemed member of the Kappa Gamma Pi Honor Society.
While Mary was preparing to take her state boards, their precious Katherine was born in Nashua. In fact, on the day of the state boards a few weeks later, Bob sat in the car with baby Kate and Mary got special permission to leave the testing room to come out to the car to breastfeed Katherine. From that point on, this began a life-long passion for the importance of breastfeeding for mothers and their children.
Three and a half years later, Mary, Bob, and Katherine welcomed Liam into their loving family. Mary deeply loved Katherine and Liam with all her heart every day, all day. As an equally important part of her life, she also loved Laura accompanied by a deep admiration for the woman she is. Mary will miss her brother-in-law Denny, who was very important to her, and her niece and goddaughter Kelli, whom she loved and adored.
Mary’s mother and grandmothers passed on to her the passion of cooking for their families including hosting holiday meals. She became the keeper of German and Irish family recipes, especially Anise cookies at Christmas. Mary loved plants, dogs (particularly dachshunds), her pet Fishy Wishy, collecting cookbooks, and reading. She could quote from virtually all Seinfeld episodes.
Mary was extremely proud of her business, Lactation On Demand, in which she was able to touch the lives of countless mothers and their babies, multiplied by all the families she helped as a hospital lactation consultant in Missouri and Charleston, South Carolina. She was so proud of her affiliations with and colleagues at Southern NH Medical Center, the Adult Learning Center of Nashua, school districts in Mid-Missouri, the Gasconade County Health Department, Roper St. Francis Hospital in Charleston, South Carolina, Mercy Hospital, Missouri Baptist Hospital, Barnes Jewish Hospital, and the Visiting Nurses Association.
Mary was a proud co-host of the “Snarky Boob Queens” podcasts, along with her close friends, her milk fairies, Starla and Jocelyn. Mary also had works included in several medical publications and appeared on billboards throughout Charleston promoting Roper St. Francis Hospital.
Mary’s affinity for St. Louis was only outdone by her love for Hermann, her special place, especially our home on 10th and Washington. The community of Hermann quickly became the place where deep-rooted friendships for the whole family were formed that last to this day.
In addition to leaving Bob, Katherine (Taylor), Liam (Emma), Laura (Denny), and Kelli (Payne), she also leaves behind Bob’s siblings and family members, her cousins, and hundreds of other friends, none closer than Bev Frasca.
Donations in memory of Mary may be made to La Leche League or your local breastfeeding support organization. To honor Mary love people and breastfeed if you can.
Mary had a passion for music, especially the band KISS, and is finally with Elvis!
Mary’s wake was held from 5-8pm Tuesday, August 20, at Colliers Funeral Home, 3400 North Lindbergh Blvd., Saint Ann, MO. The Funeral Mass was held at 10am Wednesday morning at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 3130 Parkwood Ln, Maryland Heights. Father Bill Debo officiated.