Mary Ann Biaglow passed away peacefully on August 16, 2022 at the age of 85. She was born on May 6, 1937 to Mary and James Kocab in Cleveland, Ohio. Mary Ann was one of the strongest women ever to grace this earth.
Mary Ann attended Holy Family School and graduated in 1951. She went to high school graduating from Notre Dame Academy in 1955. She entered Saint Alexis Hospital School of Nursing and graduated in 1958 starting her career as a registered nurse. Compassion was Mary Ann’s number one trait, proven by the quality of nursing care that she dispensed to her patients. Nursing isn’t exactly an easy job. Involving long hours on your feet, working in a fast-paced environment, making fast decision, and going long hours without a break. She was at the front lines of healthcare and dealt with medical personnel, patients, and families for 44 years. Nurses tend to be maternal beings, hence her draw to the profession of taking care of others and having nine children.
She met John E. Biaglow PhD, whom she married on December 26, 1959. Together they had nine children John, Mary, Joseph, James, Andrew, Florence, Michael, Jennifer, and Valoree. While having children she worked full-time at Huron Road Hospital in the head trauma unit and then Mount Sanai Hospital specializing in geriatrics. In her spare time, she took the kids shopping, swimming, music lessons, sporting, and school events. During those years she was a long-time member of Saint Louis Church on South Taylor Road and was a lunch time mother. Working second shift she didn’t get to see the kids after school but made up for it with her famous brown bag lunches. She never missed any of her kids’ important dates. Attending St. Joe’s football games her famous “Nail Them” chant was heard loud and clear and has forever been engrained in the minds of those in attendance.
Mary Ann enjoyed crafting while the kids were little. She signed up at neighborhood craft shows to sell her handmade items. Macrame, beading, ceramics, knitting, crocheting, were just a few of the crafts she dabbled in. Not a lover of the kitchen, she did provide wonderful meals to her family. Mom handed down great recipes like her potato pancakes, meat loaf, mashed potatoes, and stuffed peppers. She enjoyed reading and playing card games. She also appreciated antiquing and visiting garage sales. A lover of sports especially the Cleveland Indians, Philadelphia Phillies, and the Browns. Watching the news was a great pastime and she could strike up a conversation with anyone, always able to find a topic of discussion.
Boy was she a people watcher. Always able to get a read on someone.
She had a kind heart and did not forget our seniors in particular our neighbor Ardell who had no family and often on weekends, if you could not find her, she would be in the sun porch spending time with her. Whether you are a beginner or looking for ways to save, she was an expert role model and would coach you about coupons, rebates and every week would send you an envelope full. As her children got older, she often would send care packages with toothpaste, yarn, soap, or deodorant with a loving note signed Love Mom.
In 1986 she moved to New Jersey where she worked at Woodbury Hospital and then Greenbriar Nursing & Convalescent Center, and finally retiring from Cardinal Village. After retirement she pursued her hobbies working as a sitter knitter at A.C. Moore to teach others her craft. She loved to travel including trips to Spain, England, Bermuda, Florida, Caribbean, Alaska, and a Dude Ranch to name a few. Lets not forget all her visits to her grandkids birthday parties bearing gifts of her generosity. Known as “Grums”, “G”, “Grumsy Pie”, and “Gram” she would mail tokens like $2 bills for Valentine’s Day or Easter to her grandkids as a gesture and reminder that she loved them.
Mary Ann was known for her quick wit, her infectious smile, and her kind and generous heart. She loved to give back to the community including donating blood to the Red Cross, Saint Vincent De Paul, St. Jude’s and participating in Hands Across America. Not one to sit around she was always ready to go on casino trips, crafts shows or one tank trips. Mary Ann had a fun side to her too, Cedar Point, Geauga Lake, Conneaut Lake, Sea World, and Geneva-on-the-Lake were some of her favorites. You would find her at skee-ball, playing fascination, riding the log ride, old fashion cars, bumper cars, and the mine ride. She was a prankster and loved a good laugh. In 1978 Hillside Dairy was never the same when she let off a stink bomb in the eatery.
She was preceded in death by her parents Mary and James Kocab. She is survived by her sisters: Virginia Kocab and Terri Misenko. Her children John A. Biaglow (Fran), Mary C. Consolo (Frank), Joseph A. Biaglow, James F. Biaglow (Karen), Andrew I. Biaglow (Joyce), Florence U. Henry (John), Michael O. Biaglow (Janet), Jennifer A. Menasion (Ken), and Valoree M. Coleman (George). Grandchilden: Allison, John, Elizabeth, Horace, Dessa, Deanna, Jimmy, Thomas, Ashlee, Cara, Matthew, Madison, Morgan, Mylee, Macie, Kenny, Lexi, Dalton, and Alex. Great Grandchildren: Rhett, Maverick, Anastasia, and Ellie.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to St. Jude Children’s Hospital 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105. Mass of Christian Burial 10am Tuesday August 23 at St. Francis of Assisi Church. Interment Knollwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends at THE DiCICCO AND SONS FUNERAL HOME 5975 MAYFIELD RD. MAYFIELD HTS.,(at Lander Rd.) MONDAY 4 TO 7 PM. Online condolences www.diciccoandsonsfh.com
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St. Jude Children's Hospital 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105
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