Mary Marecek

Mary Ann Detrick Marecek, 68, of Sherwood, Arkansas went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, August 5th, while at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota after a long battle with a number of medical disorders.

Mary Ann was the only child of the late Sylvia and Sam Dramer. She was raised in Little Rock, Arkansas and began piano studies at the age of 4. A child prodigy, she spent much of her childhood performing, playing her first symphony at the age of 8. She completed her piano performance degree at Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, Texas, in 1961 where she also met and married the late Bill J. Detrick. During the next 25 years, she performed, accompanied, adjudicated, and taught extensively while making her home and raising her four children in Wichita Falls. She touched many young lives by passing on her gift of music. Mary Ann was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church while she lived in Wichita Falls where she played the organ. She also served in numerous capacities for local and state music teacher organizations in Texas.

Mary Ann married Dr. Raymond Marecek in 1985 and moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota where he had an established medical practice. Mary Ann continued adjudication in Minnesota as well as teaching piano part time and remained an active participant in the music ministry at St. Patrick's in Edina.

In 1987, Mary Ann and her husband returned to Arkansas to be of service to their aging parents. She continued teaching part time and remained involved in music ministry. Because of progressive physical limitations, she retired in 1991. In spite of her chronic medical conditions, Mary Ann maintained an active lifestyle about the home and also assisted in the planning and development of the 1st Annual Choral Workshop at the Cathedral of Saint Andrew and remained committed to it's existence. Mary Ann will be remembered as a loving wife, devoted mother, talented musician, courageous woman and a faithful servant of the Lord.

Mary Ann is survived by her husband of 23 years, Dr. Raymond Marecek; her children and their spouses; Michael and Melissa Detrick of Wichita Falls, TX, Danny and Leslie Detrick of Bedford, TX, Amy and Rob Allibon of Ft. Worth, TX, Emily and Carlos Mayfield of Austin, TX; step daughters Lisa Takamiya, Jennifer Johnson, and Julia Bullock, and eight grandchildren. She is also survived by Mrs. Elsie Marecek, Dr. Marecek's mother.

The Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated at 10am on Monday, August 11th, 2008 at the Cathedral of Saint Andrew in Little Rock, Arkansas with the Reverend Ray McDaniel celebrant. Rite of Committal will follow at Calvary Cemetery under the direction of North Little Rock Funeral Home.

The visitation will be Sunday, August 10th from 6 until the rosary at 7:30 pm at the North Little Rock Funeral Home, 1921 Main St., 758-1170. The family suggests memorials be made to Midwestern State University or the charity of your choice. Online obituary and guest register at www.nlrfh.com.