Mary Ann A. Wydra

On April 5th, Mary Ann A. Wydra (Karycki) of 510 West Seventh Street, Mount Carmel died in her home after a short illness. She was 91 years of age, having been born on August 2, 1933 to Walter and Sadie (Hudick) Karycki. Mary Ann was a proud 1951 graduate of Mount Carmel High School and participated on numerous reunion committees.

On June 27, 1953 she married her husband, Tom Wydra of over 50 years in Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church. He preceded her in death on April 10, 2006. During their marriage, they were blessed with two children. Mary Ann resided with her daughter Ann for the last ten years. Her son Ray lived nearby and joined them for many evening meals. Ray’s son Brad lived with his grandmother and aunt for the past several years giving her great joy and happiness as they shared their love of gardening.

As a lifelong resident of Mount Carmel, Mary Ann was lucky to be surrounded by her younger brother, Jack Karycki and his wife Mary Ellen (Quinn) and their five sons and family consisting of eleven grandchildren. Her nephews, John (Patricia), Todd (Jennifer), Brian, Jason (Mandy) and David (Melanie) along with their children Tyler, Kyle, Alissia, Tanner, Cooper, Brooke, Kelly, Madison, Max, Mimi, and Cody brought Mary Ann great joy as she followed their academic achievements and sports heroics as she attended most of their life events as their loudest cheerleader.

Mary Ann’s other brother, Walter (Sonny) and his wife Jean (Canavan)-both deceased-and their family of two sons and a daughter did not live in Mount Carmel but did live within a ninety-minute drive. On many occasions, she was able to enjoy the company of Lee and his wife Deb and their daughters Frances and Mary, Larry and Lynne and David Holtzclaw with their son Brooks.

As a result of her marriage, Mary Ann became a member of the Wydra family. She was in law to Ray and Mary Wydra, Eleanor and Ed Sobcyznski and Ann and Jim Wendling. Her niece, Barbara was especially close to her as is Barbara’s son, Robert and his family.

During her 91+ years as a Mount Carmel resident and graduate of the high school, Mary Ann participated in many of the local civic organizations and community sponsored events and activities. She was the first and only female Exalted Ruler of the Elks and was honored as the Elk of the Year. After that, she took her antics to the Eagles shooting shuffleboard for many years and assisting with arrangements for the annual Halloween Parade.

Continuing her love for children, Mary Ann engaged with the local Boy Scout Troop to the point that she earned the title of Grammy Scout. She would tell everyone how many of the scouts made it to the Eagle level or got a new merit badge. Mary Ann also developed a relationship with the neighborhood children as she hosted parties in her home for different holidays.

Her caring for children and participation in their events earned her the title and honor of the 2018 Mother of the Year of the Mount Carmel Eagles. Her family surrounded her as she accepted gifts and plaques from the organizations.

Mary Ann was always the life of any party or gathering when she attended a bingo, shuffleboard match or a sporting event. Her recent exploits at the Sunbury Airport Campground, Clover’s Fire Company, Wilburton Fire Company and Anthracite Fire Company saw her adopted into many family groups. Most recently, Mary Ann cruised to the Caribbean with her daughter and son along with a large group of friends. Everyone in the group enjoyed her zaniness while she danced for hours and basked in the limelight of their love.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, April 9, 2025 at 11:00 am in Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 47 South Market Street, Mt. Carmel with Rev. Msgr. Francis J. Karwacki, Pastor as the celebrant. Interment will follow in Saint Joseph’s Cemetery, Mount Carmel Township. A viewing will be held in the church from 9:30 am until 10:45 am. Joseph J. Stutz, Inc. Funeral Home, 40 S. Market St., Mount Carmel, Joseph J. Stutz III, Supervisor has been entrusted with arrangements. To offer condolences to Mary Ann’s family, please sign the guestbook at www.stutzfuneralhome.com.