Mary Ellen "Mike" Rybarczyk

1941 - 2024

Mary Ellen "Mike" Rybarczyk passed away peacefully on July 7, 2024, at St. Paul's Villa in San Diego, California.

Mary Ellen was born to Thaddeus and Amanda Rybarczyk on Dec. 14, 1941, in Chicago, Illinois.

An early family story was often shared and chuckled about that a young Mary Ellen was sitting on her paternal grandfather Michael's lap when she looked at him while pointing to herself and declared, "Me, Mike!" Thus she became known to family and friends as "Mike" from there forward.

The Rybarczyk family moved to La Porte, Indiana, when Mike was about 4-years-old, where she attended St. Peter's Catholic School during her formative years and then eventually went on to graduate from La Porte High School. As she was an avid reader during her teenage years, she enjoyed working on the high school newspaper. It was during this focus she cultivated her innate sense of camaraderie and quick, clever wit that appealed to so many, allowing for her gregarious nature to blossom, which would serve her well as she journeyed through life.

After the passage of Mike's dad, the family moved to California to be near family. Mike attended Pasadena City College for a time, but in the summer of 1961, Mike's mom advised Mike to find a "summer job." Her summer job was becoming a stewardess for United Airlines. Consequently, that "summer job" lasted 42 years!

She was based in Washington, D.C., New York City, Los Angeles and Honolulu, and during this storied career in the "friendly skies," she effortlessly schmoozed with numerous celebrities and politicians, such as Robert F. Kennedy, Sammy Davis Jr. and Ann-Margaret. The list could go on and so these fleeting encounters richly added untold joyous memories to the many worldwide adventures and long-lasting friendships Mike regaled in throughout the four decades-long job she often joked, "It beats work!"

She had a never-ending amount of stories to share of her experiences; Mike's family is grateful they can reflect fondly on those as well as her warmheartedness toward animals and generous spirit, while the years continue on.

Mike is survived by her sister, Jane; her brother-in-law, Bill; nieces, Jackie and Kathleen; nephew, Dennis; grandnieces, Priscilla, Amanda, Raeleen, Taryn and Chloe; and dear friend, Nan. She was predeceased by her parents; sister, Loana; and brother-in-law, Arthur.

Graveside services will be held Monday, April 14, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at Pine Lake Cemetery in La Porte.