Mary Ann Cervenak

     MARY ANN CERVENAK (nee Dvorak) age 92 of Linesville, PA passed away peacefully in her home, surrounded by family on Tuesday, August 12th.

     Born August 16, 1932 to Joseph & Marie Dvorak (nee Drab), Mary Ann grew up in Cleveland, Ohio. She attended Holy Family School and later graduated from Ursuline Academy. Mary Ann was a member of Holy Family Church and most recently, St. Philips, in Linesville, Pa.

     She worked at Hough Bakery, and also held a position in the research department at the Cleveland Clinic. Later she worked at the Cuyahoga County Clerk of Courts where she then retired.

     On June 25, 1955, she married the love of her life, Robert M. Cervenak, at Holy Family Church. Robert and Mary Ann first met at a dance—befitting for both of them, who had a lifelong love of dancing to polka music.

     Together, Robert and Mary Ann raised five children in Lakewood, Ohio. In 1959, the couple bought land in Linesville, PA near Pymatuning Lake where they built a summer cottage. This became their retirement home. Mary Ann enjoyed vacations with her family in Hawaii, Outer Banks, Virginia, Lakeside, OH and enjoyed warm winters in Florida.

     Mary Ann’s heart was always with her family. She loved traditions, annual family clam bakes, family vacations and cooking and baking for her family. Her specialties were Christmas cookies, cream puffs, cream rolls and dumplings. Even at the age of 92, she delighted in making pickles, tomato sauce, and freezing corn.

     Mary Ann enjoyed being part of her children and grandchildren’s lives. She loved the Cleveland Indians (Guardians), March Madness, fishing, dancing, gardening and was never afraid to try new experiences. Included in her love of life she was a competitive game player, some of her favorites being cribbage, euchre, poker with the neighbors, our family dice game, and family versions of Oh, Heck. She also, never found a Bingo game she didn’t like!

     Mary Ann was a deeply loving and caring woman who believed in putting family first and trusting in God’s guidance. She and Bob raised five wonderful children, her greatest pride. Known for her generosity and warmth, she treated others like family and made everyone feel like sunshine. Strong, iconic, and full of light, she loved fiercely and celebrated others’ joys as her own. Her laughter, kindness, and unwavering support made a lasting impact—and the love her family showed her speaks volumes about the incredible mother and grandmother and great-grandmother she was.

     She is survived by Barbara Gillmore (Richard), Mary Lou Ringle (Dean), Thomas Cervenak, Nancy Koprowski (John) and Sheree Eberly (LeRoy), grandmother of Kelly (Eric), Melanie, Lisa (Joseph), Zachary, Christopher (Kaitlin), Emma (Brandon), Gabrielle (Jon), and Holly, Great-Grandmother to Emmett, Logan, Maddie, Grant, Oliver, and Ryan and many cousins, nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, brother, and loving husband of 60 years, Robert M. Cervenak.

     A memorial mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 18th at St. Philip Roman Catholic Church, 401 S. Mercer St., Linesville, PA with Father Chris Hamlett as celebrant.

     Donations in memory of our Mary Ann can be made to St. Philip Church or Hospice of Crawford County, 464 Pine Street, Meadville, PA 16335.