Mary E. Ptacek

It is with great sadness that the family of Mary "Mara" Ptacek shares the news of her peaceful passing on September 10th, 2024 in Malta, at the age of 96. Mary was a kind, intelligent and talented woman who will be sorely missed.
Born Mary Zimmer in 1928, her character was shaped in a one room schoolhouse and on the family dairy farm in Washington County, WI. She attended Marquette University where she majored in Philosophy and met the love of her life, her husband, Jerry Ptacek. Mary was both a typical hard working, modest midwestern woman and strikingly original. While raising nine children she received an MA in Education and taught French, English and Creative Writing at Franklin High School sharing her love for poetry and literature.
On retirement she took up running, completing many marathons and winning races at the 1992 Senior Olympics. In her 60s, 70s and 80s under the pen name of Mara Ptacek, and as a member of The Sparks, she wrote and published poetry, collaborated with other poets and textile artists, and created unique chapbooks that reflected the individual qualities of each of her poems.
Mary will be remembered lovingly by all who knew her as a wise and compassionate soul, ready to listen and lend a hand. She is predeceased by her loving husband of 61 years and son, Robert. She is survived by her children Daniel (Karla), Sandra (Jose), Teri (Andrew), Thomas (Melissa), Carol (David), David, Gail, and Kurt; grandchildren, Nicholas, Nathaniel, Imogen, Lilian, Sara, Andrea, Annelise, Ian, Sophia, Anya, Kristen, Rachel, Jem'ma, Jules, Brook, Caroline, Anthony and Eleanor; great-grandchildren, Olivia, Elena, Gabriel, Alma, Kai and Jack; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
A celebration of her life will be held in Wisconsin at a future date. Mary lived with her daughter's family in Greenwich before moving to an assisted living facility. The family wishes to thank the staff at the Home of the Good Shepherd in Malta, The Community Hospice and Hudson Headwaters for all the care and compassion given to Mary. In-memoriam donations can be made to the Agricultural Stewardship Association, Alzheimer's Association or a charity of your choice.
Words May Save Your Life They dance in the wind, artful, elegant as maple leaves floating. They ebb & flow rich in nuance, in the sea of life. Words ruffle your hair, compliment, joke, smile, hug you close, kiss you on both cheeks, on eyes, lips, dare you to love. Over-the-top words squat in treetops are splayed on sidewalks, waiting. Words tether you to the universe. ~Mara Ptacek