Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Mary Denise Dretzka

San Francisco, CA -- Mary Denise Dretzka passed away on Tuesday, April 21, 2009, at San Francisco General Hospital. Mary was born in Racine on January 30, 1960, daughter of Roland and the late Jill (nee: Cieslukowski) Dretzka.

Mary was a graduate of St. Edward Grade School, St. Catherine's High School, the University of Wisconsin-Madison (Bachelor of Theatre Arts), and the California Culinary Academy. Mary had a great love of the theater and participated in many plays and musicals while in high school and college. After a career in the apparel industry, Mary began her career as a chef to pursue her love of cooking and baking.

Survivors include her loving parents Roland and Elaine Dretzka; brother David (Phyllis); sister Susan; sister Julie (Tim) Myers; and cherished nieces: Jillian Dretzka, Abby, Molly and Kaylee Myers. She is further survived by aunts and uncles: Hubert (the late Violet) Dretzka, Marianne and Jim Cherrie, Mary Lou (the late Ken) Dretzka, Robert and Ellen Cieslukowski, Pat and Ron Cumming, Sandy & Peter Puestow, Dr. Ed and Joanne Pezanoski, Richard Pezanoski, Rachel Pezanoski. Also many special cousins and friends: a special friend, Sister Barbara Walsh of San Francisco; and former husband, Mo Backus of San Francisco. Mary was preceded in death by her mother Jill (in 1965); grandparents: Jerome and Elynor Dretzka, Ed and Susan Cieslukowski, and Sig and Jane Pezanoski; godfather, Jerry Dretzka; Aunt Lennie Dretzka, Uncle Nick Fluyeras; and Aunt Lorraine Pezanoski.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Edward Catholic Church, 1425 Grove Ave., on Saturday, May 2, 2009, at 11 a.m. with the Reverends Allen Bratkowski and Richard Molter officiating. Relatives and friends may meet with the family at the church on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the Mass. Interment will be at Holy Sepulcher Cemetery, Cudahy, WI, on Monday, May 4, at 10 a.m. Memorials to St. Catherine's High School music and drama department are suggested.

A special thank you to Susie, Phyllis, Joan, Michelle, Geri, Sister Barbara and Mo for being with Mary.

MARESH-MEREDITH & ACKLAM FUNERAL HOME
803 Main St., Racine (262) 634-7888

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful picture of Mary - what a smile! My deepest condolences to Roland, Elaine, David, Phyllis, Jillian, Susie, Julie, Tim, Mo (Pepe) and all of Mary's friends and extended family. I am so sorry for your loss. Love, Michelle

Anonymous said...

I met Mary in 1st grade. We went to school together for 12 years, and a group of us stayed knit together despite any amount of time which would pass, including of course, Mary. I will always have her twinkling eyes, beaming smile, and loving heart in my thoughts and prayers. I am blessed to have such a special person in my life. All of her family are in my prayers. Sadly, Greg Dickert

Unknown said...

My condolences to the family. I knew Mary when we were students at Parkside in the theatre department. I am very sorry to hear of her passing, again, my condolences.

Unknown said...

My condolences to Mary's family and loved ones. I knew here when we were students at Parkside in the theatre department. My prayers are with you all, gary