Mary Ann Wise

MaryAnn Pachuta Wise, 93, passed away Saturday, August 26, 2023 in her home town of Beckley, West Virginia.

MaryAnn was born January 11, 1930, the daughter of John J. and Elizabeth Pachuta. She was preceded in death by her husband of 69 years, Deacon William Donald "Don" Wise; daughter, Marcie Wise; parents; and siblings, Elizabeth Peplowski, Billie Jo Franko, Janie Moore, and John Pachuta.

MaryAnn is survived by three children, Sandra (Les) Rush, Don (Tina) Wise, Jr. and Theresa (Tony) O'Leary. She had 10 grandchildren: Donnie (Misha), Stephen (Candace), Lachelle, Gabe (Casey), and Desi Wise, Samantha Goins, Alexis (Hunter) Brown, and Patrick (Shelby), David, and Colleen O'Leary.

MaryAnn had six great-grandchildren, Ellie, Elsie, and Jude Wise; Isabelle and Hunter Goins; and Amara Brown. She is also survived by her sister, Margaret Reinhardt, sister-in-law Ann Pachuta and many nieces and nephews.

MaryAnn was married to Don in 1949 and their years together were spent serving the Catholic community of Beckley. They helped establish St. Francis De Sales School, where MaryAnn served in the PTO and as a homeroom mother. When Don became a Permanent Deacon in 1988, MaryAnn also assumed her role in ministry to the Church.

MaryAnn graduated from Beckley Woodrow Wilson High School in 1949, where she was a proud member of the flag team and was an attendant to Ms. Flying Eagle. She worked as a payroll clerk for the New River Company. Her civic duties included volunteer work with Beckley Little League and was a member of Catholic Daughters of America.

MaryAnn volunteered at Raleigh General Hospital for 44 years (12, 276 hours). She delivered newspapers to countless patients and served in her role proudly. MaryAnn also enjoyed listening to the Cincinnati Reds on the radio every night, even if the team was "getting clobbered." She also listened faithfully to the Beckley Flying Eagles on the radio.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Father Leonard Smith and other Diocesan priests at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, August 30 at St. Francis De Sales Catholic Church in Beckley. Rite of Committal will follow in Mt. Calvary Cemetery at Sunset Memorial Park in Beckley. There will be no visitation as per MaryAnn's wishes (If you know, you know). In lieu of flowers, the family requests for donations to be made to St. Francis De Sales Catholic School.

Melton Mortuary and Cremation Center has been entrusted with arrangements and are honored to serve the family. Expressions of sympathy and condolences may be sent to the family by visiting MaryAnn's website tribute page at www.meltonmortuary.com

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