Marian Joan Stutz's Obituary
Marian Joan Stutz, devoted and loving wife and mother whose ever upbeat view of life and infectious sense of humor touched family, friends and countless others for decades, passed away peacefully on March 13, 2024, in her Dallas home at the age of 99.
In her near century of living, Marian was known for her gentle and caring nature, and her keen insight on a variety of topics ranging from professional and college sports to the politics of the day. She was especially proud of her Irish heritage.
An avid reader and bridge player, Marian belonged to several bridge groups over the course of her life. In addition to her bridge partners, she counted among her many friends several members of St. Rita Catholic Church where she practiced her faith – including multiple Bible study groups – for more than forty years.
Marian served as administrative assistant to a long line of pastors at St. Rita’s and was very close personally to several of them, particularly the Jesuit priests who oversaw the parish for many years after its inception.
But her proudest accomplishment was raising her five sons, whose devotion to her was constant and carried on during and after the pandemic via weekly Zoom calls every Sunday. Mother and sons, also joined by nieces and nephews on occasion, would catch up on family happenings, share laughs and talk about the latest news events. Marian was usually the first to join those calls.
Her greatest tragedy was losing the love of her life, her husband Al, to heart disease at the relatively young age of 67. They grew up and met in the northern Illinois towns of Spring Valley and LaSalle.
Married in 1945 upon Al’s return from serving in the U.S. Army Air Corps in Europe during World War II, Marian and Al began raising a family while Al pursued a career in sales for several large corporations. Among the cities where they resided were Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Pittsburgh, Denver, St. Louis and Dallas.
Marian formed strong friendships in all those places and continued to exchange Christmas cards with many of those friends well into her 90’s.
Although losing Al in 1992 was a terrible blow to Marian, she was determined to live a good life, supported by her sons and many friends in Dallas and elsewhere.
She continued working at St. Rita’s into her early 80’s. She loved to read in her spare time and was always ready to travel, visiting her sons and their families scattered across the U.S. She particularly enjoyed the annual family reunions in the Colorado mountains.
Marian was also an enthusiastic sports fan, with the Dallas Cowboys, Texas Rangers and the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame her favorites. Her affinity for Notre Dame developed after her older brother Don played basketball and graduated from there. And her older sister, Delores, later married Don’s roommate, Bill O’Brien.
Marian was born in Spring Valley, Illinois on November 2, 1924, to Henry and Margaret Smith. After elementary school in Spring Valley, she attended a Catholic boarding school in Sinsinawa Wisconsin, the Mound, for high school.
Returning to Spring Valley, she continued her education at LaSalle Junior College, where she graduated with an associate degree. It was during that time that she met Al at a local teen hangout, the Igloo, which is still in business today.
Marian is survived by sons Gregory (Julie), Terrence (Patricia), Michael (Ellen), Thomas (Vicki Schultz) and Mark (Beth) along with 10 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. In addition to Al, she was predeceased by her parents Henry and Margaret Smith, her brother Don Smith, and her sisters Delores O’ Brien and Marmie Beyer.
Marian loved life and her family, and embraced each day she was given. Her memory will be cherished by all those she leaves behind. She will be laid to rest on April 15, 2024, at Restland Cemetery. A remembrance service will take place prior to the burial at 10 a.m. in the Wildwood Chapel. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to American Cancer Society.
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