Mary Wickham

Mary Ann Wickham, age 85 passed away at her residence on Friday, April 19th, 2013. Born in Erie, PA on September 19, 1927 she was the daughter of the late Norbert and Gertrude (Jacquel) Kraus.

She graduated from St. John the Baptist grade school and then St. Benedict Academy High School.

She married James B. Wickham on May 1st, 1948 and they enjoyed 53 happy years together before he passed on May 22nd, 2001.

After her children were in school Mary Ann continued her education by graduating from Villa College in 1966 and received her Masters Degree in Education from Edinboro University in 1970. She taught kindergarten for 24 years at Jefferson and Grover Cleveland Grade Schools for Erie School District and was loved by all she taught.

She loved to sew, knit, crochet, quilt and embroider. She was a volunteer for St. Patrick's Haven, regularly contributed to Emmaus Soup Kitchen and often donated boxes of knitted hats for various charities around town.

She was a 40 year member of Delta Kappa Gamma Society serving as past president from 1978-1980.

She was a long time member of St Julia Church and then transferred to St. Jude the Apostle so her children could attend a newly dedicated elementary school (Our Lady's Christian). She has remained a member at St Jude's since then.

She is survived by her children, Timothy Wickham, Daniel Wickham, Jeanne Frey and Margaret Chesko, eight grandchildren, Sarah Parker, Michelle Dorrion, Leah Wickham, Bradley Frey, Ryan Frey, Aimee Frey, Robert Chesko and Lisa Chesko. She also had 1 great-granddaughter Morgan Anderson and three great-grandsons Reed Parker, Aaron Parker and Morgen Parker. Also surviving are her brother Norbert Kraus, and her sisters Joan Konzel and Jacky Staab all of Erie, along with many nieces and nephews.

Friends may call the Burton Westlake Funeral Home 3801 West 26th Street (at Powell Ave) on Monday April 22nd from 2:00 -5:00 pm and 7:00 -9:00 pm. and are invited to a prayer service there on Tuesday April 23rd at 10:15 am. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at St. Jude the Apostle Church at 11:00 am with Rev. Matthew Strickenberger officiating. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to ANNA Shelter, 1555 East 10th Street Erie, PA 16511 or Great Lakes Hospice, 1700 Peach Street, Suite 244 Erie PA 16501.