Mary Nebesar

Mary Anne Nebesar (nee Percynski) of Surprise, Arizona (formerly of Sun City, Arizona), passed away on September 14, 2015, at Hospice of the Valley. Mary Anne was born in Holden, West Virginia, on April 15, 1930 to Zigmond and Stella Percynski (nee Tupis), both deceased. Beloved mother to Katherine Suzo (Michael), Pamela Carroll (Claude), and Sharon Kish O'Brien (Joe). Grandmother to John (Diana), Andrew, Colt, and Audrey. Great-grandmother to Lorelai and Harper. The eldest of nine, Mary Anne is survived by her brothers, Zigmond (Claireann, deceased) and Fred (Harriett) and her sisters Barbara Gullifer (James) and Karen Campagna. She was preceded in death by her brothers Joseph, Raymond (Irene) and David (Gloria), and sister Laura Kraft Rogel (Buddy and Joe, both deceased). Mary Anne had two joyful marriages, the first to Julius Kish from 1950 to 1973 at the time of his passing and George C. Nebesar, from 1979 to 2012 at the time of his passing. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, October 17, 2015 at the First Presbyterian Church of Sun City with The Reverend Dr. Douglas Wright officiating. A reception will be held in Swain Hall immediately following the service. Internment will be in Cleveland, Ohio on October 24, 2015. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are welcome in Mary Anne’s name to P.E.O. Sisterhood, Chapter BT, Sun City, C/O Hannah Lynch, 13619 North 108th Drive, Sun City, Arizona 85351. Mary Anne proudly referred to herself as a "coal miner's daughter" as her parents both emigrated from Poland and her father supported the family by working in the coal fields of West Virginia. Mary Anne shared many happy memories of her small town childhood at the 'ole swimming hole, the local theatre, open only on Saturdays, and fun times shared with grandparents, aunts, and uncles. She was studious, personable, and participated in all school activities. She was a cheerleader, editor of the school paper, class president, received the Balfour award (an international recognition of the most outstanding regional senior graduate), and graduated valedictorian of her class. She was a Girl Scout during the World War II years and remembered rolling bandages for the Red Cross. As a Scout she was also in the choir at the Episcopal Church in town since so many of the young adults were away in service to their country. She received a full scholarship to West Virginia University but had to turn it down to help out at home. After high school, she went to work full time as a secretary, then met a handsome, young Hungarian named Julius Kish and married him in 1950. They moved to Cleveland, Ohio and from that union came three beautiful daughters. Involved in all of their girl's activities, they were excellent chauffeurs and chaperones for church youth groups, Girl Scout events, music lessons, and all school affairs, such as plays, sporting events, concerts, etc. Mary Anne was Girl Scout Cookie Chair for two years, active in the PTA, volunteered in the school library, taught Sunday school for more than 20 years, and was a church camp counselor. Her hobbies included cake decorating, reading, ceramics, cross stitch embroidery, and dabbling in quilting and crocheting. She was a fantastic cook and baker. Her wedding cakes were beautiful creations that she made for many of her siblings and all of her daughters. She held positions as a bookkeeper for a Savings and Loan; worked for the Cleveland Board of Education and Lakewood Hospital. In 1973 she lost her husband and best friend after a brief illness. She always felt God walked with her and led her all the way. In 1978 she met a widower, George C. Nebesar, a wonderful, kind, loving, talented patent attorney at a ballroom dance class. Mary Anne and George married in 1979. They traveled world-wide together and visited her sister, Laura Rogel, in Sun City, on many occasions. In 1984 they became residents of Sun City and joined First Presbyterian Church of Sun City. Throughout the years, Mary Anne served as elder, deacon, chairmen of Christian Education, moderator of Presbyterian women, sang in the choir, and enjoyed many other church activities such as the annual Christmas tea and traveling with church members to the Holy Land, a Rhine River Cruise, and volunteering at Ghost Ranch in New Mexico. She also enjoyed her position visiting church members who were hospitalized or home bound. Mary Anne also was a real estate agent for Ken Meade Realty. Mary Anne was initiated on the same day as her sister Laura into P.E.O. (Philanthropic Educational Organization) in 1988. Her P.E.O. sisters were a second family to her and she enjoyed traveling to national conventions and to Cottey College, the P.E.O. sponsored college for women. Mary Anne's beloved George passed away in 2012. She relocated to Park Wood Assisted Living, Surprise, Arizona in February 2015. The true focus of Mary Anne's life was her family. She hosted wonderful holiday celebrations and was the touchstone of her large extended family. She will be deeply missed by her devoted daughters, their spouses, her beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren, siblings, and many nieces and nephews.