MaryAnn Roberts Beck

Having just turned 80, MaryAnn Roberts Beck succumbed to her battle with Alzheimer’s Disease and passed peacefully on November 18, 2024, with family at her side.

MaryAnn (Roberts) was born on November 7, 1944, to parents Genevieve (Kuklinski) and William Roberts in Racine, Wisconsin. An only child, she grew up on Center Street, attended St. Stanislaus Church & School across the street, and graduated from St. Catherine’s High School in 1962. In a world that shunned divorce, a young MaryAnn learned to thrive despite her parental rift and, through adversity, learned kindness and tolerance. She cared for her Polish immigrant grandparents and she loved jump-rope, checkers, and reading. MaryAnn worked from an early age to help her single mother and was employed at her uncle’s market, the neighborhood drug store and then, after graduating, at the telephone company.

On a night out with girlfriends, at a bar she wasn’t supposed to be at, she met and fell in love with Edward A. Lema, Sr. They married in 1964 on her 20th birthday, not wanting to be a teenage bride. Together they would have three children. MaryAnn worked all the while raising their children, successfully starting, growing and running their family business, Eddie’s Glass Service, in Racine, WI.

After 25 years of staying together for the children, they divorced and MaryAnn forged her own path. Though uncertain and afraid, she was determined to be a financially successful and independent woman. She took back her maiden name for the new life she worked toward. She bought a charming house that she made a home; and she eagerly hosted gatherings and grandchildren slumber parties in the several years that followed. She went on her first interview in over 20 years to pay her own bills and enrolled at UW-Parkside to better her life. She graduated in 1993 with a Bachelors Degree in Sociology, at age 50, and landed her first job in property management. She had a beautiful knack for working with people; and she was quick to offer smiles and kindness alongside pragmatic thought and solutions. She wasn’t afraid of working hard and subsequently spent her next 15 years managing apartment complexes until retiring to enjoy the fruits of her labor. She more than met her goals and unknowingly became a fierce role model for her granddaughters, in particular, and amongst the abused women in the shelter she volunteered at.

MaryAnn never imagined she’d marry again, but one day walking laps around Regency Mall she met Peter Beck; and in their later years of life, the two found happiness, companionship and deep love together. They married in 2006 and spent the next several years traveling, fishing, socializing and living life as fully as they could. In 2014 MaryAnn’s cognitive functioning began to change and was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease, an ugly truth she tried to hide for years. As the years progressed, it robbed her of her memories, joys and capabilities, but she continued smiling and telling all around her that she loved them right up until the very end.

MaryAnn filled her life by taking care of others. She loved gathering recipes and cookbooks; and it thrilled her to prepare meals and entertain family and friends. She was an enthusiastic reader, a great puzzler and the winner of many quarters for fishing “tournaments”. MaryAnn loved traveling to places near and far, exploring homelands and dreamlands, to better understand and value the world around her. She appreciated the beauty found in crystal pieces, antique dishes, and fresh flowers to fill her senses. And lest we forget, her joy in “bumming around town”, sipping a Brandy Old-Fashioned, sweet, and shopping for illusive treasures at T.J. Maxx. Most of all she loved her family, was grateful for any time spent together and wanted nothing more than for their independent paths to be filled with love and success, however they defined it. Our mother had ways of turning life’s hard moments and difficult people into treasures. There were many who crossed her path that didn’t deserve the woman she was, and she loved and cared for them regardless, and in earnest.

MaryAnn lived her life a devoted Catholic; and as she enters God’s Kingdom, a certain reward for her faithfulness and compassionate living, we know she will be reunited in joy and love with the many who passed before her and those yet to find her in Heaven one day. Honestly, MaryAnn’s last 18 months of life were awfully traumatic for her, but the incredible teams at St. Monica’s Assisted Living and Memory Care and, eventually, St. Croix Hospice, wrapped their tenderhearted arms around her and gave her the respectful and dignified care, acceptance and genuine love she was deserving of. They were there when her family couldn’t be; and the words thank you seem so inadequate for supporting our mother as beautifully as you did.

MaryAnn is survived by her daughter, Audra (Kevin) Thompson sons Edward Lema, Jr. (Cristie Reno), and Michael (Lynn) Lema. She was blessed with six grandchildren: granddaughters Hailey, Allison and Lauren Thompson along with grandsons Matthew (Aubrey), Mitchell (Aisuluu) and Weston Lema. Sadly, she missed time knowing her three great-grandchildren: Nora, Millie and Josiah Lema. Her husband, Peter Beck, survives as well.

A small, private Catholic Mass and Life Celebration honoring her life and legacy will be held with her family, and her cremains will be interred at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery, alongside her mother. As much as MaryAnn loved flowers, or in lieu of gifts to her family, she would wish for you to remember her by making a donation to the charity of your choice, supporting the needs of those underserved in your area.