Mary Ann McCulloch

Mary Ann was born July 25, 1948, to the most loving parents in the world, John and Mary (Augustine) Ciko. Her and her brother, John Jr., grew up on Andover Street, located on the north side of Detroit, Michigan, during the innocent 1950’s. Like every other girl, Mary Ann twirled hula-hoops, played with bride dolls and rode her bike everywhere. At a very young and tender age, she met her first love, music. She practiced every day with glee and with much determination. Her instruction with increasingly more accomplished teachers led her to the steps of Cass Technical High School (Class of 1966) and their Music Program. It was at Cass Tech she met the love of her life, her chemistry teacher, Bernard J. McCulloch. Mary Ann went on to study at the University Of Michigan School of Music. She graduated with honors earning her Bachelor of Music Degree in May of 1970, focusing on Music Education. Her first full time position was a music teacher with the Wayne-Westland School District.

Mary Ann married the love of her life, Bernard, on May 13, 1972, at Holy Ghost Russian Orthodox Church, Detroit, Michigan. Mary Ann’s brother, John Jr., and his wife, Patricia McHugh Ciko, were the Best Man and Matron of Honor at the ceremony.

On February 6, 1974, their son, Mark Hugh McCulloch was born. Six months after Mark’s birth, they moved into their home on Archwood Drive in Ann Arbor, where both Mary Ann and Bernard lived until their deaths. Mary Ann was a devoted mother and wife, where she took care of matters on the home front until Mark went to elementary school full time. It was then Mary Ann decided to make a career change. She returned to the University of Michigan, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in April of 1983, and a Master of Science in Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing in December of 1985.

Mary Ann became a Registered Nurse in the State of Michigan, and worked for the Ann Arbor Public Schools for eighteen years. She retired from AAPS in 2004 to focus full time on her passion, teaching music. Mary Ann taught piano lessons from her home to both children and adults, until three weeks before her death. She instructed many enthusiastic and talented young students over the years in the beauty and joys of piano. Mary Ann was also a full time member and past President of the Ann Arbor Alumni Chapter of Mu Phi Epsilon Music Fraternity.

Mary Ann traveled the world and saw most of Europe with her late husband. She also traveled to most of the islands in the Caribbean Sea, the Holy Land of Israel in 2011, and Africa in 2011 (Tanzania) with a return visit in 2014 (South Africa, Zambia and Botswana). Mary Ann was a woman of strong faith. She was a devoted parishioner to St. Vladimir Orthodox Church in Ann Arbor, where she served various roles on the Church Board and cherished singing in the choir.

Mary Ann is survived by her son, Mark Hugh McCulloch (Jennifer); grand-daughters Emily and Megan (lovingly referred to as her angels); her dear brother John and his sweet Patricia; her nephews John (Tawni) and Nicholas (Elizabeth) Ciko. Mary Ann refused to be defined by the cancer she battled for many years. Rather, she lived life to the fullest, and never took for granted the beauties and wonders God created on this earth. Although Mary Ann is gone, this is only an intermission. She will greet all of her friends and family just inside the Eastern Gate with open arms and love.

Until we meet again my friends. I love each of you, with all my heart, forever.