Mary Ann T. Maciolek

Mary Ann leaves behind her daughter Kim Stika (née Maciolek), son in law Gary, of whom she said “Gary is the son I never had”, her two precious grandsons Nathaniel and Kyle, whom she loved more than life and her faithful canine companion Abbie, who never left her side and was the love of her life. 

She is also survived by her only brother John “Arnie” (the late Arlene) Kopaczewski and many nieces, nephews and friends. 

Preceded in death by her husband Nathaniel “Tad” Maciolek and her parents John and Valeria Kopaczewski. 

Mary Ann attended St. Josaphat’s grade school and graduated from Pulaski High School. She immediately went to work for Northwestern Mutual Insurance Company, starting as a messenger and working her way up to a buyer, which is the job that she loved the most. She retired after 38 years.

She loved traveling, having a glass of wine, dressing up to go out to eat, Door County, shopping with her daughter (because can you really have too many clothes?), gambling trips with her friends, State Fair and having a couple of beers, as she always said, as the song goes: “In Heaven there is no beer, that’s why we drink it here”, and most of all doing things with her family. 

She would always put her family first. When her grandsons were young, the family would go to the zoo at least three times a week and board the train. She would take the boys round and round until she got dizzy, but it didn’t matter because she would do anything to make her grandsons happy. She had always hoped to be on this earth long enough to see her grandsons learn to drive and to graduate from high school. She was able to accomplish half of that, this past June witnessing her oldest graduate from high school. She had a smile from ear to ear as she was so proud of him.

Mary Ann always reminisced about her younger years when times were different. She loved going dancing to different ballrooms with her friends, at a time when one could safely take the bus home at midnight. She told me that she remembered running out in the street when WWII was over and marching in a parade wearing a V for victory. She talked about shopping on Mitchell Street or Downtown; Three Sisters, Chapmans, Grants and Schusters were her favorites. Her favorite saying was “those were the days”. Mary Ann also believed in leaving the house perfectly dressed; nails done, matching shoes and jewelry and she bestowed the same traits to her daughter. 

The last few months have been very rocky, painful and riddled with doctor appointments with little relief. She believed that when the Lord was ready to take her, she would go. She said she had a good life and believed “It is what it is”. 

According to Mary Ann’s wishes, no services will be held, as she believed in seeing and enjoying her family and friends while she was alive.

If desired, memorials to the family, which will be distributed to the many worthy causes Mary Ann believed in, are appreciated.