Mary Elizabeth Skalicky

1931 - 2014

ODESSA Mary Elizabeth Skalicky, 83, of Odessa, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 31, 2014.
Mary was born on December 6, 1931 to James Leslie Moore and Mary Elizabeth Webb in Greenville, TX. Mary was a native of Dallas, TX and attended Southern Methodist University where she received degrees in both piano and organ. Mary went on to receive a Master of Music degree from the University of Michigan. Further studies took her to The Amsterdam Conservatory of Music, The Netherlands Carillon School, Yale University, Univ. of Texas Austin, Texas Tech and The Academy of Art, Prague, Czechoslovakia. Mary earned many accolades, including the Viola Cassidy Memorial Award for most outstanding organ student, first place recipient in the National Federation of Music Club's auditions, one of the few women Members of the Guild of Carillonneurs of North America, a chosen performer in recital at historic St. Jacob's Church in Prague, invited performer at the Fifth International Organ Festival at St. Maurice's Church in Czechoslovakia, the Rockefeller Memorial Carillon at Riverside Church in New York, being the first woman to play the mammoth 74 bell carillon, and the Niagara Falls recital in Rainbow Bridge.
Mary married John R. Grenier in Ann Arbor, MI and they lived in Connecticut. Mary taught music at Miss Porter's School. They had one daughter, Celeste Moore Grenier. Mary accepted the position of Professor of Music, Howard College and relocated to Big Spring, TX in 1968. She was later married to Miloslav (Mike) Skalicky in 1970. She was Organist at St. Mary's Episcopal Church for several years and also played the organ in other area churches. She was an avid researcher and historian. A Member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Colonial Daughters of the XVII Century and Colonial Dames of the XVII Century.
Mary is preceded in death by both parents; her husband Mike Skalicky and one sister Joy Ann Marsh. Mary is survived by her daughter Celeste Grenier Dale and her husband Robert Lee; one granddaughter Tiffany Marie Wood and her husband Aaron Lee, all of Odessa, TX; one great-granddaughter Claire Elizabeth Wood and great-grandson Christian Lee Wood; nieces Melody Bohannon of Tampa, FL, Muezetta Cromer of Longmont, CO, Merrilee Libby of Encinitas, CA, and one nephew Mark Marsh of Estes Park, CO; step-daughter Lisa Brackeen of Royse City, TX and step-son Clifton Skalicky of Big Spring, TX.
Visitation for Mary is scheduled from 4-6pm on Sunday, January 4, 2015 at Sunset Memorial Gardens and Funeral Home.
A Celebration of Mary's life will be at 1pm on Monday, January 5, 2015 at Sunset Memorial Chapel. The family will receive friends at their home following services.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Sunset Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home. To sign the guestbook, go to our website at www.sunsetodessa.com.