Mary Ann Turzewski

She was born during the Great Depression on March 23, 1936, in Detroit, Michigan, the youngest child of Mary and Paul Stepinski. Mary Ann was a first generation American who was raised in a close knit Polish neighborhood on Detroit’s West Side. Her father and mother had a beautiful yard filled with fruit trees, flowers and a vegetable garden, which brought the family much joy. They took great pride in their small home that was the shining star of Little Mercier St. She spoke mostly Polish in her home and would walk to the neighborhood bakeries, butchers and corner grocery stores. She earned a scholarship to St. Hedwig high school and graduated from Chadsey High School in 1954 where she obtained her cosmetology degree. After graduation, she began her career as a beautician at a prominent beauty shop in Detroit and her clientele loved her and often showered her with special gifts.

As fate would have it, Mary Ann met the love of her life, Stephen Turzewski, while walking to a corner store on Martin St for a bag of Better Made potato chips. They married on August 11, 1956, at Our Lady Queen of Angels. Once married, she dedicated herself fully to raising their family of five children and creating a warm home full of delicious food and lots of love. Life became very busy - having 5 children in 7 years, and Mary Ann finally found the courage to learn to drive to keep up with the demands of the family. She turned her beautician skills toward her family, and they could often be found outside on a chair getting a haircut. The years were enjoyed by Mary Ann taking the kids to their school and sporting events, walking, riding her bike, and playing Pinochle with the neighborhood ladies. Summers were filled with camping trips up north and spending time on beautiful Michigan lakes. Later in life, she would often reminisce about these years and talk about how quickly they flew, and how much she enjoyed them.

Mary Ann also had a deep love for nature and animals, with a special fondness for song birds and dogs. She inherited her green thumb from her parents and brought life to her beautiful yard which was her pride and joy. Her houseplants thrived under her care and she was known for her ability to bring dead plants back to life. She was a fabulous cook and rarely used a recipe, which made it tough for her kids to duplicate her delicious dishes. She had an unwavering faith in God and found strength and support in the rosary and praying to her favorite Saints - Saint Anthony and Saint Jude.

Known for her immense love and kindness, she had the ability to make anyone feel special with her smile and sincere compliments. Mary Ann touched the lives of many and her sweet memory will live on in the hearts of those who knew her.

Mary Ann is survived by her devoted husband, Stephen; their children, David (Kathleen), Andrea Patrias (Larry), Tom (Cynthia), John (Cathy), and Laurie Gaiss (Mark); as well as 13 cherished grandchildren; Brian (Erica), Lynnae (Dusko), Elisa (Greg), Michael (Susannah), Lauren (Jeff), Jenny (Cory), Matthew, Stephanie, Ryan, Shelley (Jeff), Steven (Grace), Kendall and Lyndsay. In addition, she was blessed with 13 great-grandchildren who were her pride and joy: Brayden, Wyatt, Olivia, Aubrey, Avery, Ella, Luke, Alexander, Iver, Emmerson, Charlotte, Caden and baby-boy-to-be. She was predeceased by her parents, Mary and Paul Stepinski, and siblings Helen, Stanley, Sophie, Josephine, and Walter Stepinski.

“Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.” Matthew 5:4

An in state for Mary Ann will be held Tuesday, March 25, 2025 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at St Sabina Catholic Church, 25605 Ann Arbor Trail, Dearborn Heights, Michigan 48127, followed by a funeral mass at 11:00 AM. Immediately following the funeral mass, a luncheon will be held in Mary’s honor at the American Legion Car E. Stitt Post.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Mary Ann's memory may be made to American Heart Association, and / or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Please use the links below to donate online.

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