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Maryann Rueckert Symkoviak

Maryann Symkoviak Obituary

Maryann Rueckert Symkoviak
1951 ~ 2012
A beautiful and amazing woman, wife, mother, friend, and aunt returned home to her Heavenly Father on March 8, 2012.
Maryann Rueckert Symkoviak was born to Harold and Hertha Rueckert in Salt Lake City on October 10, 1951. Maryann was blessed with a loving family. She married Dr. Gary Symkoviak in the LDS Salt Lake Temple on June 22, 1972. They were blessed with five wonderful children, Bryan (Michelle), Steven (Angie), Jeffrey, Cristy (Joel Ertel), and Michael (Christina) and currently have ten grandchildren. Maryann succumbed to Multiple Systems Atrophy (MSA). She will be forever remembered by family and friends for her loving and generous heart. She served her family and others through church and community organizations. She served in many callings for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She loved her Heavenly Father and is looking forward with faith on His promises of resurrection and life eternal. Maryann loved her family, playing tennis, doing genealogy, and enjoyed going to the temple. She taught "Choices" (a child abuse class) for the Medical Auxiliary Association and made sandwiches for the homeless every month with the help of neighbors and friends. Maryann is grateful for all her friends, brothers, sisters, and care givers who rendered loving service during her illness.
Maryann is now having a fun family reunion with her parents (Rueckert, Malzahn and Symkoviak), grandparents, brother-in-law Scott Keyser, and nephew Darrin Wilson who have preceded her in death. She is "survived" by her husband Gary, all of her children, grandchildren (Brooke, Aleea, Tara, Cade, Leyla, Niki, Chloe, Zyun, Tyce, Kova), siblings, Hal (Phyllis), Dean (Inger), Elizabeth (Dave), Christine, and many nephews and nieces who will miss her giant chocolate chip cookies. She will always be in our hearts and memories.
Viewing: 10:00 am to 11:45 am on Saturday March 10th at Lone Hollow Ward, 2195 E Pepperwood Dr (10900 S), Sandy, Utah
Funeral: 12:00 Noon on Saturday March 10th at Lone Hollow Ward, 2195 E Pepperwood Dr (10900 S), Sandy, Utah
Interment: Larkin Sunset Gardens 10600 S 1950 E Sandy, Utah
In lieu of flowers, Maryann requests that contributions be made toward a charity or toward making sandwiches for the homeless shelter. Online condolences: www.larkincares.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Salt Lake Tribune on Mar. 9, 2012.

Memories and Condolences
for Maryann Symkoviak

19 Entries

Betty L. Whiting

March 3, 2023

She definitely was an angel on earth and now in heaven! Such a sweet person!

Betty Whiting

March 3, 2020

I hope I can grow up to be like her! She was such a light in our neighborhood!

Leslie Moss

March 13, 2012

Dear Gary and family, I was so sad to read of Maryann's passing. I will remember her kindness to me. I am so sorry for your great loss.Your former next door neighbor from many years ago on Creek Road, Leslie Moss [Park City]

Joane Hammar

March 13, 2012

Dr Symkoviak:

My sincere condolences on the loss of your wife. You spoke so lovingly about her and we all knew how precious she was to you. I am so sorry.

Steven Malzahn

March 12, 2012

Auntie Maryann and her family welcomed me into their home when I was alone going to college at U of U. I will never forget her kindness and warm smile, along with her loving spirit.

Craig & Marianne Maddox

March 12, 2012

Dr. Symkoviak;
We are saddened by the news of Maryann's passing. We send our sincere sympathy to you and your family. May the sweet memories of Maryann help you go on.

With caring thoughts,

Beau Baker

March 10, 2012

Dear Gary and Family,

Maryann was truly an angel on this earth and now she is one in heaven. She was an incredible friend to me and my family over the past 20 years. She was always there for me and included me in everything. I will always cherish our friendship and memories together. She was an inspiration to us all, and we will greatly miss her.
Maryann, thank you so much for teaching me how to make sandwiches. I will carry on your tradition with my family and friends. I will alway remember you.

Words seem inadequate to express the sadness we feel about Maryann's death. We are here to support you all in your grieving process. Please accept our most sincere sympathies for your loss .. our thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time.

With heartfelt condolences,

Ron, Beau and the Baker family

Kathy Rollins

March 10, 2012

Gary and Family,
I was so sad to hear that Maryann had passed away.
I have so many fond memories of our friendship. She was so good to me after Tracy died and took the time to do many things with and for me. We attended institute classes together for a long time, often stopping at Marie Callendar's on the way home for a slice of our favorite pie. She encouraged me to have LeAnne and Jenny take skiing lessons at Brighton with her children so we went up their together with our younger children along to play in the snow. You and Maryann took our family up to your cabin at Bear Lake and waterskiing in your boat. We shared long talks about Gospel principles and often shared our testimonies with each other. She was a great teacher.
I remember when I was going through a period of unexpected anxiety and had all of these wooden pilgrims I wanted to paint to sell for Thanksgiving, but couldn't get myself together to get it accomplished, and she came over to encourage me and also assisted with the painting to make sure they got done and off my mind.

She and I shared the same love for Lionel Richie's song "Say You, Say Me" and I remember the day I went to her home on Creek Road and we watched the music video on MTV. We laughed and thought we were pretty silly, but had fun in the process. I went to her home often as we cooked together and shared other things.
When I went to work most of my spare time was spent taking care of family matters, so our friendship drifted apart as her family responsibilities increased as well. But, my feelings for our friendship have always remained strong.

She was such a great example to everyone and loved by all. I learned many things from her and am thankful she was a part of my life. She was a one of a kind.
I pray for the Lord's comfort to your family at your time of grief.
Kathy Rollins and Family

March 9, 2012

Gary and Family,

We were so sorry to hear of Maryann's passing. We have so many good memories of Maryann. She was always so gracious and warm to be around and never forgot a name. We will miss her as we are sure your family will. Our heart and prayers are with you at this difficult time.

Lori and Eddie Scow

March 9, 2012

Maryann is very vivid in our memory, although she moved away from our neighborhood years ago. We loved hearing her speak and teach. She always shared uplifting ideas and brought joy to all. We are saddened at her passing and we remember her as a real angel on earth! Betty and Carvel Whiting

Valerie (Aldous) Lunnen

March 9, 2012

Gary and Family,
My heart is saddened by Maryann's passing. She was truly an elect lady. If you asked me as a teenager (when I first met Maryann), as a young adult, as a mom, and now as a grandma who I wanted to be like...the answer was always Maryann. Her unselfish acts of kindness and her bubbly personality will live on in the people she touched.
Love,
Val

Jennifer Franklin

March 9, 2012

Maryann was one of those people who could put you at ease and make you feel at home. I am fortunate to have known her if even for a short time. Much love to the Symkoviak family, we're thinking of you at this difficult time.
Love,
Jennifer Franklin and family

Bettyanne Bruin

March 9, 2012

Dear Symkoviak family,

We are all so sad to hear about the passing of your mother, Maryann. Upon hearing this news, each of us quickly recalled the impact she had, for good, in each of our lives. I remember being her Stake Missionary companion and the special and fun times we shared. She was always, and will remain forever, one of the best and solid shining lights of the gospel anyone has ever met. May all of those special moments remain in our hearts and yours forever. Our sincerest thoughts and prayers are with you at this time as you adjust to her new home in the loving arms of our Heavenly Father.

March 9, 2012

Gary and family: I send my love and sympathy to you all. Maryann was an incredible woman. I respected her so much and loved being a neighbor, friend and sister in the gospel. I loved her sincere joy and happiness with life, her family, and with the gospel. She will be missed by many. May the Lord's blessings of peace and comfort be with each of you. Marilee Vlam

March 9, 2012

Dear Gary & Family, MaryAnn was a vivacious, enthusiatic and caring lady. She was always willing to help anyone in need. She was gracious and so willing to share her home with her cousins for get-to-gethers and family reuniuons. He sweet spirit followed in her Father's footsteps om delving into genealogy and following through with the Temple work. she opitimized that of a Faithful Servant and now being held in the Lord's arms, saying: Well done, my good and faithful servant. Our loives have been touched by her presence on this earth. Whoever knew her, their lives were touched for good.
Your Loving Cousin, Marge Rushworth

Janelle Homer Blackham

March 9, 2012

Maryann had a place in my life growing up. She served so willingly in her church callings going above and beyond what was expected of her. Now I am serving in the Primary and I realize how much work and love she put into her callings. I think back to my Primary and YW years now, and she was always there with a smile and hello to make me feel special and loved, or an 'incentive' (scripture bucks) that had a perfect theme with the lesson or value being taught. I always loved her perfect handwriting and delicious food. Maryann is one of those ladies who had a special light about her. She knew the gospel, and because of that special light, she shared it with all who knew her. Symkoviak family, I am sorry for your loss and the years she had to suffer with her illness. Until you all meet again,,,

Mindy Callister Robison

March 9, 2012

I feel very blessed to have known Maryann, and have had her as my Young Women's President many years ago! She left a very strong impact on my life. I remember the countless hours she spent doing service. She was never to busy to help others. Thank you Symkoviak family for sharing your Mom, she was amazing!

Kathie and Art Peterson

March 9, 2012

We send our love and sympathy to you. I'll never forget the Sunday that Danielle had escaped our home. All of our kids were out looking for her. She was only 5 years old. Brandon found her walking down Creek Road with her towel and swimming suit thrown over her shoulder. He asked her where she was going. She answered: "I'm going to "Koviaks" to swim. She loved Maryann and Maryann loved her. We will miss her.

Colby Clawson

March 9, 2012

Dear Symkoviak Family:
Maryann was indeed an "incredible woman". She was also beautiful inside and out and so full of love, compassion and life! I feel so blessed to be able to call her my dear friend. She will forever live in my heart as I know she will in yours.
All my love,
Colby

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