Mary Helen Butterline-Krupnick

Mary Helen Theresa Butterline-Krupnick 

(April 8th, 1959 - January 8th, 2025)

Mary was born in the Port Richmond section of Philadelphia to Dolores [daughter of Mary Jane and Stephen] and Peter [son of Helen and Peter] Butterline. Mary was one of seven children: Peter (MaryAnn), Dolores (Claude), Suzanne (Jim), Sharon (Joe), Mark (Wendy), and Judy (Mark); all of which attended St. Anne’s in their youth. 

Mary always put others’ needs above her own, helping to raise her siblings throughout her childhood, even holding down a job since she was fourteen years old. Mary’s greatest memories are those that involve her loved ones. Mary was blessed with two daughters, Sara and Mia, was dubbed a Godmother four times over (Peter, Mark, Angelique, & Brandon), had 33 nieces and nephews, and an ever growing list of great-nieces and great-nephews that adored her.

Mary viewed knowledge as power, and always had a thirst for learning; despite dropping out of high school to help make a living, Mary went on to earn her GED whilst working as a telephone operator, and continued her education further after entering the banking industry. Mary attended CCP while pregnant with her second child, and graduated from Temple University as a mother of two, all while continuing to further her career. She eventually graduated from Temple with a Bachelor of Business Administration in 1998. Mary became an International Logistics Manager and finished her career at HKS Global Resources. 

Mary’s most important job was her role as a devoted mother. Mary and Arthur Krupnick met at the London Victory Club in 1981 (due to her dear friend Rosemary Quinn), married in 1988, and welcomed their first daughter, Sara Lynn, later that year. Six years later, they welcomed their second daughter, Mia Jordan in 1994. Mary prioritized her daughters above all else, never to miss a soccer game, ballet recital, honor roll assembly, or moment to share with either of them. 

After Mary and Arthur divorced, she came to love again, when she met Daniel Ciecka in 1999, whom she has shared a life with ever since. Mary and Dan spent many happy summers at the Brigantine Beach, played in numerous bowling leagues together, and shared countless laughs traveling (England, Scotland, Italy, St. Thomas, Canada, and across the nation), all while raising the family with the additional inclusion of their loving animals (Cali, Jingle, Joplin, Jude, Jolene, & Jean-Genie). 

Mary had a great love for nature; finding bliss in the way the sun would rise and set, the sand would curl between her toes, her garden would bloom in the Spring and Summer, and the sound of the wind rushing across the canyons or the waves crashing against the shore. Often noted for her green thumb, Mary had a vast knowledge of plants, even listing E.T. as one of her favorite characters, due to his career as a botanist. Mary found the beauty of Mother Nature to be very inspiring and was often captivated by Bob Ross’ interpretation of it. 

All are welcome to join us in honoring Mary’s memory and the love she brought into our lives. A celebration of life will be held on Monday, January 13th, 2025 from 10 AM to 11 AM in Christ the King Church, located at 3252 Chesterfield Road, Philadelphia, PA 19114.  Prayer Services and Words of Remembrance will begin 11 AM. Entombment will follow in Lawnview Cemetery. Mary will be dearly missed, thoughtfully remembered, and always loved by those fortunate enough to know her. The family would like to thank everyone for their love and support during this difficult time. Flowers are appreciated or memorial donations may be made to METAvivor (a non-profit organization dedicated to increasing awareness of advanced breast cancer and equity in research and patient support) on Mary’s behalf.

Arrangements by McCafferty Sweeney Slabinski Barnes Funerals and Cremations, John Barnes Supervisor 215.333.0500