1938
Mary
2023
Mary Ann Takats
March 21, 1938 — March 17, 2023
Mary Ann Takats (née Rice), of Savannah died unexpectedly, though after nearly a lifetime of smoking, on Friday, March 17, 2023 days shy of her 85th birthday.
Mary Ann was born May 21, 1938 in Rock Cave, WV, a daughter of the late Hartzel M. and Nellie B. Watson Rice. She was preceded in death by an infant brother, Jackie, an adult brother, Wayne Rice (Carolyn S. DeMasters Rice, deceased) and her husband of 39 years, SMSGT John Takats, USAF (retired) whom she married on December 4, 1959.
She is survived by her four children, John Takats (Sonya) of Savannah, GA, Terry Takats (Elisabeth Bailey) of Augusta, GA, Nancy Spedale (Roland) of Dothan, AL and Judy Takats (Michael Dybicz) of Nashville, TN and a sister, Lillian Rice Gillespie of Hurt, VA. She is also survived by grandchildren Ana Housley, John Takats, Katherine Takats, Michael Takats, Jack Spedale and Sarah Spedale as well as step-grand children Christa Candanado and Andrew Candanado, and their children, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Mary Ann graduated Buckhannon Upshur High School (West Virginia) in 1956 and joined the Air Force months later. It is there, in Shreveport, LA, that she met her future husband on a blind date. The day of her honorable discharge, with the rank of Airman 1st Class, she and John drove a motorcycle to Marshall, Texas and eloped. Together with her growing family, Mary Ann lived in Bellevue, NE, Mt. Laguna, CA, and Finley, ND before moving to Savannah. It was in Finley where she bowled a perfect game, thanks to lots of practice during the cold North Dakota winters. Mary Ann was an avid reader, especially of romance novels, as well as a puzzle, scrabble and crossword enthusiast and could be seen on her daily neighborhood walks or gardening. She also couldn’t resist a good deal. In addition to keeping state secrets, Mary Ann will be remembered for not ratting out her childrens’ friends to their parents (there was lots to tell), shocking her chess teacher for winning her first match after just learning the game, as well being unflappable and a great neighbor. She will be missed by those who knew and loved her.
In honoring her wishes, Mary Ann will be cremated and the family is not holding a memorial or funeral service.
In lieu of flowers, her children encourage you to quit smoking, read a book and request donations be sent to the American Lung Association, the American Heart Association or the March of Dimes.
https://action.lung.org/site/Donation2
https://www.heart.org/donate
https://www.marchforbabies.org/
Mary Ann was born May 21, 1938 in Rock Cave, WV, a daughter of the late Hartzel M. and Nellie B. Watson Rice. She was preceded in death by an infant brother, Jackie, an adult brother, Wayne Rice (Carolyn S. DeMasters Rice, deceased) and her husband of 39 years, SMSGT John Takats, USAF (retired) whom she married on December 4, 1959.
She is survived by her four children, John Takats (Sonya) of Savannah, GA, Terry Takats (Elisabeth Bailey) of Augusta, GA, Nancy Spedale (Roland) of Dothan, AL and Judy Takats (Michael Dybicz) of Nashville, TN and a sister, Lillian Rice Gillespie of Hurt, VA. She is also survived by grandchildren Ana Housley, John Takats, Katherine Takats, Michael Takats, Jack Spedale and Sarah Spedale as well as step-grand children Christa Candanado and Andrew Candanado, and their children, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Mary Ann graduated Buckhannon Upshur High School (West Virginia) in 1956 and joined the Air Force months later. It is there, in Shreveport, LA, that she met her future husband on a blind date. The day of her honorable discharge, with the rank of Airman 1st Class, she and John drove a motorcycle to Marshall, Texas and eloped. Together with her growing family, Mary Ann lived in Bellevue, NE, Mt. Laguna, CA, and Finley, ND before moving to Savannah. It was in Finley where she bowled a perfect game, thanks to lots of practice during the cold North Dakota winters. Mary Ann was an avid reader, especially of romance novels, as well as a puzzle, scrabble and crossword enthusiast and could be seen on her daily neighborhood walks or gardening. She also couldn’t resist a good deal. In addition to keeping state secrets, Mary Ann will be remembered for not ratting out her childrens’ friends to their parents (there was lots to tell), shocking her chess teacher for winning her first match after just learning the game, as well being unflappable and a great neighbor. She will be missed by those who knew and loved her.
In honoring her wishes, Mary Ann will be cremated and the family is not holding a memorial or funeral service.
In lieu of flowers, her children encourage you to quit smoking, read a book and request donations be sent to the American Lung Association, the American Heart Association or the March of Dimes.
https://action.lung.org/site/Donation2
https://www.heart.org/donate
https://www.marchforbabies.org/
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Mary Ann Takats, please visit our flower store.
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