Mary Ann Innocenti Hyak passed away on Wednesday, April 18, 2018. She was born on March 25, 1923 in Victoria, Texas to the late Charles W. and Hermina Zandonatti Innocenti, and was the eldest of seven children.
She had recently celebrated her 95th birthday surrounded by family and friends at the Brookdale Senior Living Center. Mom was spiritually “packing up” her things, emptying room by room, moving a little more each day from life on earth into a fuller life with her Lord.
Mary began her working career after raising three children by going to work for both B. E. Leissner Sr. and Jr. at the Lone Tree Pharmacy and Victoria Pharmacy, and then on to work at Medical Center Pharmacy for Mr. Coulter. She retired from Chesnick Furniture Co. to start raising her garden, which could have fed the entire seventh fleet. She grew up on a farm and had that “green thumb” that everyone talks about. She stuck a stick in the ground and a tree would appear.
She was an avid seamstress and quilter and made quilts for ladies in five counties. She was a member of the Altar Society and served as the Hospitality Minister. She faithfully embroidered for St. Mary’s Catholic Church, and put a fresh rose from her house on the altar every morning for 29 years.
Mary loved bingo, word search puzzles and the Astros. Man, did she love those Astros!
Mary had been active with the VFW Post #4146 Ladies Auxiliary of Victoria, having served in many capacities as an officer in the local, district and state offices.
Survivors include her daughters, Dorothy Hyak Hermes and Kathy Hyak Sandidge (Ronald); sister, Alice Zeplin; and brother, Charles Williams Innocenti, Jr.; grandchildren, Denise Bednorz (James), Dennis Hermes (Tracy), David Sandidge (Katie), Risa Young (Jeremy), Brittany McCullar (Mike) and Lucas Sandidge (Maureen); great-grandchildren, Dustin Bednorz (Hannah), Joshua Bednorz, Mallory Hermes, Cayden and Nolan Sandidge, Grace and Reagan Young, Wyatt Rodgers and Weston and Waylon McCullar; great great-grandchildren, Jillian and Gwendolyn Bednorz. Mary is also survived by many nieces and nephews as well as many friends and loved ones.
Mary was predeceased by her husband, Sam T. Hyak; son, Robert E. Hyak; granddaughter, Tia Megran Hyak; great-grandson, Lain Michael Hermes; sister Irma Innocenti; brothers, Ernest, James and Tony Innocenti.
Visitation will begin at 5 pm Sunday, April 22, 2018 at Rosewood Funeral Chapels. Prior to the Rosary the VFW Ladies Auxiliary will honor Mary with an end of life tribute at 6:45 pm. A Rosary will be recited at 7 pm. Funeral services will be held at 10 am Monday, April 23, 2018 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church followed by interment in Resurrection Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be James and Dustin Bednorz, Dennis Hermes, David and Lucas Sandidge and Don Hyak. Honorary pallbearers will be Denise Bednorz, Risa Young, Brittany McCullar, Josh Bednorz, Jillian and Gwendolyn Bednorz, Cayden and Nolan Sandidge, Wyatt Rodgers, Weston and Waylon McCullar and Mallory Hermes.
Our family would like to express our heartfelt thanks to the staff of Hospice of South Texas and Dianne and Jimmy Harrison and their staff at Dover House for the love and care they gave our Mother, and also to Dr. Frank Parma, Dr. Ty Meyer and Dr. Terry Whitehouse.
Memorials may be made to St. Mary’s Catholic Church, St. Joseph High School’s Endowment Fund or Nazareth Academy.
Share condolences at www.rosewoodfuneralchapel.com.
