Mrs. Mary Ann Popelka

May 9, 1927 - December 10, 2018

The story of Mary Ann began on May 9, 1927 as the daughter of John E. and Marie Busch in Palos Hills, Illinois. She had a younger brother (Jack) who is deceased. As a young girl she enjoyed nature especially the old Palos Toboggan Slide. Other activities that she enjoyed were taking piano and baton lessons. She attended Lyons Township High School and graduated from University of St. Francis in Joliet, Illinois. Upon graduation, she began her career as a primary school teacher in School District 111, Burbank, Illinois. There she met her future husband George to whom she married and spent sixty-seven (67) wonderful years together. They had on son, George, Jr. After taking a six (6) year absence to take care of her young son, she returned to teaching in School District 111 until her retirement. While she was working she cared for her family, parents and in-laws, who loved her as a daughter. Mary Ann had many interests which included going to garage sales, quilting, travel, decorating the house for the holidays, dancing, cooking, meeting her fellow co-workers for lunch and going to McDonalds. A special highlight of George and Mary Ann’s life was a renewal of their vows after fifty (50) years of marriage aboard the Paul Gauguin off the coast of Bora Bora. As a teacher, she prided herself upon the fact that no child ever left her classroom without knowing how to read. Nancy Hughes was her special friend and Mary Ann would lite up even in her last days when she heard her voice. Her story ended on Monday, December 10, 2018 at 3:00am. Mary Ann will be missed by her caregivers (Alice, Izabella and Renee), Sister Juanita Ujcik, OSF as well as all of her former students and colleagues. Mary Ann was the rock of our family and she brought joy into our lives that will be treasured forever. Visitation Thursday, December 13, 2018 from 3 pm until 9 pm. Chapel prayers Friday, December 14, 2018, 9:15 a.m. at the Kerry Funeral Home & Cremation Care Center, 7020 W. 127th Street, Palos Heights, Illinois 60463 proceeding to Sacred Heart Church, Palos Hills, Mass 10:00 a.m. Interment Sacred Heart Cemetery. For additional information please Call Van Henkelum Funeral Home 708 448-3530