Mary Schwartz

Luginbuel Funeral Home Vinita…….. Mary Ann Schwartz, of Vinita, died July 10, 2020, at age 86, after a long battle with Alzheimer's.

Mary Ann was born on January 29, 1934, in Holly, CO to Ed and Laura Willy. Her family moved to rural Vinita when she was one. She graduated from Vinita’s Sacred Heart Academy.  In June 1952, she married Melvin Schwartz, who served as Vinita’s Postmaster for many years. After his death in 1986, Mary Ann moved from their farm north of town to Sunset Drive, in Vinita. In 2018, she moved to Heartsworth House.  She later moved to Belfair, a memory care facility in McAlester, OK where her daughter, Laura lives.

Mary Ann volunteered at the Red Cross Blood Bank donation center for many years and was herself a blood donor for over 40 years. She was also active in the Craig General Hospital Auxiliary for many years. She was a lifelong member of Vinita’s Holy Ghost Parish and was very active in organizing the parish garage sales, assisting with Oktoberfest, serving as officer of the Confraternity of Catholic Women, and many other capacities.  She was deeply devoted to her faith.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Melvin; her parents, Ed and Laura (Pollart) Willy; infant son, Gary James; brother, Donald Willy, who died on Iwo Jima; brother, R. E. (Buddy) Willy of Bartlesville; and sister, Rose Marie Lauchner of Vinita.

She is survived by 2 brothers: Bob and wife Anita Willy of Vinita and Paul Willy of Quinlan TX.  Mary Ann and Melvin raised nine children and were strong examples to them: five daughters: Linda and husband John Bigknife of Guthrie OK, Laura and husband Philip Stizza of McAlester OK, Dr. Jane, and husband Dr. Alan Puls of Nichols Hills OK, Rita and husband Dave Adams of Bixby OK, Ann, and husband Jim Montgomery of Annapolis MD; four sons: Dan and wife Tonya Schwartz of Bristow OK, Eddy and wife Autumn Schwartz of The Villages FL, Glen and wife Tina Schwartz of Claremore OK, and Dave and wife Therese Schwartz of Stillwater OK. She has 22 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren, along with wonderful nieces and nephews, many of whom live in Vinita.

A Rosary and viewing will be held at Luginbuel Funeral Home on Monday, July 13, 2020, at 7:00 pm.

Church services will be at Holy Ghost Catholic Church on Tuesday, July 14, 2020, at 10:00 am. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery, Vinita, Oklahoma.

Services are under the direction of Luginbuel Funeral Home, Vinita, OK. Online condolences may be left at www.honoringmemories.com or on our Luginbuel Funeral Home Facebook page.