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Mary Ann Stolarczyk, age 88 of Marion, Ohio, passed away on May 13, 2024 at the Kingston Residence facility. Her husband, Ted and her son, Michael were by her side as she passed peacefully. Our heart-felt thanks to Marion General Hospital, Kingston, and Capital City Hospice for their care and support during her last few days of life.
She was born in Wheeling, WV on July 26, 1935 to the late Louis and Else (Dennis) Sanzeri. Mary Ann is survived by her husband and son, along with her sister, Jean DiClemente and her nephews Robert, and David. Her son Michael is married to Pamela (Lissmann) Stolarczyk, and they have three children, Maxwell, Nathaniel, and Eva Pilar.
She graduated from Triadelphia High School in 1953 and then attended West Liberty University where she graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education in 1956. During her time at WLU, Mary Ann was crowned Miss Hilltopper in 1955. She met Ted at West Liberty, and after her graduation, they were married.
Mary Ann and Ted moved to Marion in 1956. Both joined the Marion City School system where Mary Ann taught for over 25 years. During this time, she started working at Marion's CATV hosting the shows, "Wear to Go" and "Potpourri." She also covered high school proms, the Ohio State Fair, the Marion County Fair, and special events.
In 1972, as Mary Ann Michaels, her television career took off when she joined Dayton's WLWD (now WDTN) as a featured reporter. 1974 presented an opportunity to join the Columbus, OH NBC affiliate, WCMH. During her seven years at WCMH Mary Ann wrote, produced, and anchored half-hour features, daily mid-day newscasts, plus multiple five minute "cut-ins" during NBC's national broadcast of the Today Show.
From 1981 to 1987 she returned to Marion to be the news director and host a radio talk show for WMRN. Featured TV stints with WSYX, WOSU, and WCMH completed her television career. She was very proud to have been nominated for multiple Emmy Awards, and she won an Associated Press Award while at WCMH and an Associated Press Enterprise Reporting Award while with WMRN.
She served on multiple boards during her career, from Board of Governors of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences to United Press International Board, along with a director level role with The Ohio Associated Press, and ultimately a founding board member of the inaugural Marion Popcorn Festival.
An avid reader, curious mind, and wonderful sense of humor propelled her to see the world, but not forget where she came from during her time in our hearts and minds. Whether she was on television, on the radio, or teaching in the classroom, she wanted to share knowledge, be a catalyst of thought, and ultimately share the gift of enlightenment. To her core, she was an educator no matter the venue or setting.
Lastly, she loved to be a part of her extended family of sisters and friends, from Ellen, Nicki, Connie, Joan, Meridith, and Lynn in Marion --to Ted's siblings, Emily, Lee, Virginia, Darlene, Jo, Sophie, and nieces Karen & Kathy in West Virginia.
She will be missed by all, but she has left a legacy that will not be forgotten.
Services honoring Mary Ann's life will be observed privately by her family.
In lieu of flowers please donate to the families' West Virginia University Endowment for Mountain. You may make checks payable to: Mountain Honorary Endowment (3V610) and send to the West Virginia University Foundation, 1 Waterfront Place, 7th Floor, Morgantown, WV 26501.
Snyder Funeral Homes of Marion are honored to serve Mary Ann's family and your favorite memories and condolences may be shared with them via www.SnyderFuneral Homes.com.