Den Mar Gardens - Mary Ann Krakowski, 78, passed away peacefully on Monday, August 24, 2020 at Serenity Gardens with her brother, Bob, by her side.

Born on July 25, 1942 in Ashland, she was the daughter of the late Henry and Genevieve (Krouch) Krakowski.

Mary Ann was a 1960 graduate of Mount Carmel High School. From the time that Mary Ann was a young girl she had a dream of becoming an elementary school teacher. She used to set tables and chairs up in her back yard and have "pretend" school classes, with the neighborhood kids being her students. Her dream started to come true when she graduated from Bloomsburg University with an Elementary Teaching Degree. She then moved her class room from her back yard to Lititz, where she accepted a teaching position. After one year there, she missed her family and her hometown of Mt. Carmel. She moved back and accepted a teaching position at the McKinley Elementary School, Mt. Carmel. She eventually earned her Master's Degree and Principal's Certification. It was a tough decision for her to leave the classroom, but she eventually accepted the position of Elementary Principal.

She continued to follow her dream for 44 years until she retired in 2010. Along the way she dedicated her life to helping students find and follow their own dreams.

Ironically she passed away on the first day of school at Mt. Carmel Area. One of her friends said, "She would have been the first one through the door on opening day, and the last one to leave at night." There's a kindergarten wing in the Mount Carmel Elementary School dedicated to Mary Ann. The plaque hanging on the wall reads: Mary Ann Krakowski, a caring individual who truly "loved the little ones." She made her dreams come true.

She was member of Divine Redeemer Church, formerly Our Mother of Consolation Church.

Mary Ann is survived by two brothers, Henry Krakowski of Lititz, and Robert "Bob" Krakowski, of Den Mar Gardens; four nephews, Collin H. Krakowski, Connor R. Krakowski, Mark Krakowski and Chris Krakowski; and her best friend, Donna Greco. Mary Ann was predeceased by her parents.

FUNERAL NOTICE

Mary Ann Krakowski, 78, of Den Mar Gardens - Funeral Mass will be held Friday, August 28, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. in Divine Redeemer Church, 300 West Ave., Mt. Carmel, with Father Ryan Fischer officiating. Burial will follow in All Saints Cemetery. There will be only one viewing held on Thursday, August 27, 2020 from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. with vigil service at 7:00 p.m. in the C. J. Lucas Funeral Home Inc, 27 N. Vine Street, Mt. Carmel, PA 17851, C. J. Lucas IV, Supervisor. C. J. Lucas Funeral Home Inc. remains committed and prepared to safely care for our community during the COVID-19 pandemic and will be following proper guidelines to ensure the safety of everyone in attendance of the Funeral Service. If you are unsure or unable to attend the Funeral Service, the family of Mary Ann would like you to stay safe and say a prayer at home. In lieu of flowers the family would prefer donations to St. Jude's Children Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or Mt. Carmel Area Ministerium Food Pantry, 26 North Market Street, Mt. Carmel, PA 17851. To send condolences to the family please visit www.cjlucasfuneralhome.com