Mary Ann Prelock

Mary Ann Prelock (1932 – 2023)
Mary Ann Prelock was born December 30, 1932, in Decatur, Illinois - an end-of-year tax break for her parents, Clifford L. and Mary B. Waddell. She resided in Latham with her parents and subsequent siblings, Peggy Joyce (born 1935, deceased 2018) and Stanley LeRoy (born 1939). Mary Ann passed away November 20, 2023, following a short illness, just shy of her 91st birthday.
For a small-town kid from Central Illinois, she led a remarkable life. Mary Ann was educated in public school at Latham, IL, population 350. She graduated from Latham High School, one of 11 students in her graduating class. During high school, she took Palmer Method and Gregg shorthand, skills she would use in her future career.
In the 1950s, women's jobs were secretarial in nature, and the best paying jobs in central Illinois were located in Decatur, IL. But Mary Ann had a short, difficult marriage to Jack Constant, and after they divorced, she was ready for something new. Chicago was too close to home, NY scared her, and LA was too far to return home - -she would have to make it. So, Mary Ann packed up her car and moved to California with $600 in cash, her clothes, a TV, and dishes. While she had no job, she landed in Burbank and a temp agency found her a job at Bank of America in downtown LA. She quickly discovered traveling to downtown LA wasn't her cup of tea.
Mary Ann experienced divine intervention at several points in her life, including one soon after her arrival in California. One of her aunts worked for Walt Disney studios where a young lawyer was just hired as assistant director of labor relations. Matchmaking ensued and in 1971, Mary Ann and Ed Prelock started their journey together, living their entire married life in their Royal Canyon home in Glendale.
Ed's responsibilities at Disney expanded, and the first few months of their marriage, Ed traveled extensively, negotiating labor contracts for the crafts and artists who would operate Disney World. He later became in-house legal counsel for Teamsters Local #399, the drivers in the motion picture industry. This led to many social opportunities for the couple, including numerous trips to the Academy Awards. Ed was even awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Mary Ann was employed by Royal Industries as executive assistant to president, J.R. Johnson, where she kept J.R. and many other executives on track and on their toes. You never knew when she would have arranged a stripper to pay a visit to one executive, or Ed would place an obscene call to another – all with J.R. in the loop. She was in her element the entire 12 years she served in that role, and when she retired her status changed to "retired, at Gloriously Unemployed."
That didn't mean she faded off into the sunset. After Mary Ann's retirement, she jumped with both feet into volunteer work, public service, and personal development. She was president of the Royal Canyon Homeowners Association, spearheading the successful effort to save the Glendale Civic Auditorium, ran for the Glendale City Council, and spent five years with the Grandparents and Books Program at Glendale City Library. She took many courses at Glendale Community College, primarily focusing on history and government.
Ed Prelock, the man who was generous, compassionate, honest, sensitive, and made her laugh, passed away in 2005. Mary Ann remained in their family home for another five years, selling it to a family who loved the home as much as she and Ed did.
Mary Ann's transition to Royal Oaks was "divine intervention." She, a deacon, and the lead Pastor at La Canada Presbyterian Church, visited church members on a weekly visit. One visit was to a member at Royal Oaks, a community she was unaware of. She removed herself from the waiting list at the Motion Picture retirement home and moved into Royal Oaks in 2010.
She immediately volunteered in her new residential community. She was manager of the Acorn Room, chairman of the Foundation's Benevolence Fundraising Campaign (raising $110,000), served on the Bradbury Friendship Connection, establishing Bradbury Oaks visits.
Mary Ann was content to be a retired widow and had no intention of another relationship. But as the saying goes, "We make plans and God laughs." Enter widower Walter Jorgenson, a third-floor neighbor at Royal Oaks. They were amazingly compatible and partners in crime.
Mary Ann and Walter were committed to this "third act" of their lives and enjoyed many wonderful experiences. Mary Ann introduced Walter to cruising – on her beloved Silversea cruise line. Their trans-Atlantic travels included South America, Pacific, Panama Canal, Alaska, St. Lawrence, and most importantly, a trip to visit the Marine training site in New Zealand where
Walter prepared for the Guadalcanal invasion. They also made many trips to The Jorgenson property in Sheridan, Wyoming, and La Quinta.
When Walter passed away July 19, 2019, Mary Ann lost her sweetheart, an unexpected enrichment to a life well lived. Fortunately, the Jorgenson clan – Tom and Dixie, Doug and Margaret, and their children and grandchildren – kept Mary Ann as part of their tribe, including her in holiday meals, weddings, baby showers, and more. A few days before she passed, she was thrilled to welcome the little ones to her room at Bradbury. She "lit up" when they came into the room.
Mary Ann is survived by her brother Stanley (Linda) Waddell, Decatur, IL, nieces Amy Emmons Bradford, Normal, IL, and Leslie Waddell (Chester) Glore, Houston, TX, her nephews Kevin (Linda) Waddell, Hoschton, GA, and Scott Waddell, Warrensburg, IL; grandniece Jordan Nicole Emmons (Tyler Matus), Villa Park, IL, grandnephews Daniel Emmons, Chicago, IL, Kyle Waddell (Emily), North Augusta, South Carolina, and Chad (Chelsea) Waddell, North Augusta, South Carolina, and great grandnephew Colin Bradford, Colfax, IL.
She was proceeded in death by her parents, Clifford Waddell and Mary Perkins, sister Peggy Emmons, nephew Tim Emmons, and grandnephew, Mark Bradford.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.OakdaleMortuaryGlendora.com for the Prelock family.