Obituaries

Mary Ida Martinkewiz

Photo of Mary Ida Martinkewiz
The bright light that came into this world, in Chicago, as Mary Fabbri Martinkewiz on 10-28-1936, went dark on 10-01-2018. As with a lot of children of that time and place, her parents were immigrants. Angelo and Angela Fabbri were from Italy. Her Mom arrived in the U.S. just ten months before Mary showed up. With this background, Mary was a bit puzzled by the country's current immigration squabbles. Being the only Italian girl in a Polish neighborhood and starting school without English seemed normal conditions. Her Chicago childhood included extensive ballet training and other big city activities. This part of her life changed drastically when her Dad passed away when Mary was almost 16. Mary, her Mom and brother Chet moved to Michigan's Upper Peninsula to gain the help of family members. After High School in Crystal Falls, it was off to Michigan State for a couple of years. Marriage to Dave Martinkewiz followed in 1956, then to Seattle in 1958. Following years found them in Topeka, Lawton, Okla., and then Tulsa for 30 years. Degrees from Tulsa University and Northeast Oklahoma State paved the way for 25 years as a speech Pathologist in Tulsa Public Schools. While all this was going one, she raised three sons: Alan 1957, Keith 1958, and Greg 1962. Guiding them with love and good sense, the result was all with college degrees, good marriages to exceptional daughters-in-law, six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. A 1992 retirement to Beaver Lake, Arkansas provided the opportunity for continued activities. Some included were; water sports, bridge, a ladies performance dance group, varied social activities, family interaction, completing 50 years in TTT (a send to girls camp sorority), golf, 2 months a year on South Padre Island, groups to help other folks, and travel. She managed to visit all 50 states and all continents except Antarctica. The lack of Antarctica was a regret. August 2018 found her enjoying a special event. A Martinkewiz Family Reunion of Mary and Dave, the three boys, and their complete families was held at Beaver Lake. A group of 25 gathered with Mary smiling in the midst of it all. Some of the goodbyes to Mary will occur at 11 a.m,. Friday at the Lost Bridge Community Church, on Whitney Mountain in Garfield, Arkansas. A reception is to follow at the NEBCO Fire Station #1 in Garfield. Donations, if desired, to a favorite charity is preferred to gifts or flowers. A follow-on Birthday Party, on or before her birthday of 10-28-2018, is in initial planning. It will be full of good memories and hopefully not too rowdy. Arrangements are under the care of Rollins Funeral Home of Rogers, Ark. www.rollinsfuneral.com.

Published October 4, 2018

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