Mary Anna Lick, 91, of Muscatine, Iowa passed away peacefully in her sleep, on August 27, 2022 at Premiere Estates in Muscatine.
Visitation will be held from 10 until noon on Friday, September 2, 2022, at the Ralph J. Wittich-Riley-Freers Funeral Home. Funeral Service will be held at 12 p.m, noon, following the visitation at the funeral home. Private burial services will follow in Greenwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Wesley United Methodist Church or the Alzheimer’s Association. Online Condolences: www.wittichfuneralhome.com
Mary was born on January 29, 1931 in Akron, Ohio to recent immigrants Antonios Nzothas (Greece) and Mary Struch (Czech Republic). Mary graduated from South High School in Akron in 1948. She attended Washington University in St. Louis on a music (piano) scholarship and graduated in 1952. In the early 1960’s, Mary completed coursework for a teaching certificate at the University of Iowa (UI) and later earned a Masters degree in Education from the UI in 1969.
It was during a holiday visit to Muscatine in 1950 that she met the love of her life, Clarence Lick. They were married June 19, 1954 and enjoyed 61 years of marriage until his death on December 31, 2015.
“Mrs. Lick” started teaching fifth grade at McKinley School in 1965 and continued there until retiring in 1987. In the years following retirement, she frequently met up with former students who were always eager to update her on their lives and talk about her impact on their success.
After retirement, Mary became a dedicated volunteer at the food pantry, the Hospital Auxiliary, and Wesley United Methodist Church. Mary also served in many area philanthropic groups, including AAUW, Delta Kappa Gamma, PEO, Esther Circle and the Jackson Committee at Wesley United Methodist Church.
Mary was a lifelong classical music devotee and put her talents to good use as a piano teacher and as an accompanist for many students in Iowa state music competition. After moving to Sunnybrook in 2017, she volunteered regularly as a performer and accompanist on the Steinway piano there. It was her desire to “pay it forward” that led to her endowment of piano scholarships at the UI.
Mary is survived by her daughters, Barbara (Michael) Griffin of Erie, IL and JoAnn (Ronald) Koskey of Coralville, IA; three grandchildren (Nicholas Griffin, Sarah (Luke) Mekeel and Katelyn Griffin); two great-grandsons (Samuel and Bradley Mekeel); plus several nieces and a nephew. She was preceded in death by her husband and her parents. She will be greatly missed by those who loved her and honor her memory.
