Ethel Frances Pochocki, 85, of Brooks, renowned Maine children’s book author, passed away in the company of her loving family on Dec. 1. Ethel was born Sept. 17, 1925 in Bayonne, N.J., daughter to Chester and Ethel Pochocki.
Her passion for books and writing began during her years working at the New York City Public Library. It was while raising eight children she turned to writing in the early morning hours. Her writing career began when she won an essay writing contest about her experience taking in inner city kids with the Fresh Air Project in New York City. Through the 1960s and 70s, Ethel contributed numerous essays and poems to the leading Catholic publications of the time, including Marriage Magazine, St. Anthony Messenger and Abbey Press. Her writing shifted to the world of children’s literature where she has left an unparalleled legacy of truth and beauty. Her early works shared stories of unsung heroes and saints, meant to inspire children of all ages toward a life of service and compassion. Pochocki’s profound poetry graced the pages of Echoes and Church World in Maine and national publications including America and The Christian Science Monitor. Her numerous award winning books include her collaborations with Maine illustrator Mary Beth Owens with The Gazebo, Penny for a Hundred, and Rosebud and Red Flannel. She also collaborated with award winning illustrator Barry Moser on Blessing of the Beasts and The Mushroom Man.
Her contributions to children’s literature were recognized by the Maine Library Association with the 2008 Katahdin Award for Lifetime Achievement and the 1991 Lupine Award for outstanding children’s literature. Her classic, Penny for a Hundred, was recognized as a notable book of 1996 by the Smithsonian Magazine.
Her works are part of permanent interactive exhibits at the Bangor Children’s Museum, Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay, and the Children’s Memorial Garden at the Camden Library.
Her imagination and creativity unleashed in her kitchen created pies, breads and meals with a flair of old world elegance. She proudly rejected modern technology and delivered her gifts to the world on a manual typewriter.
Ethel is survived by her children, Therese Parr of Baltimore, Md.; Julie Terray of Brunswick, Carol Zatek of Scranton, Penn., Martin Marbach of Philadelphia, Penn., Peter Marbach of Hood River, Ore., Charles Marbach of Cape Rosier, Lucy Bradford of Harpers Ferry, W. Va. and Rosemary Marbach of Boston, Mass.; 12 grandchildren; eight grandchildren; and eight beloved cats.
Donations can be made in memory of Ethel Pochocki, to the Belfast Veterinary Hospital, 193 Northport Ave., Belfast, ME 04915, phone 207-338-3260.
Friends may share words of condolence to the family at www.brackettfuneralhome.com.
