Mary Ann Zook

Mary Ann Zook

Mary Ann was born, at home, in the tiny town of South English, Iowa, to Edna Leone Sigafoose Brock and Fred David Brock.  

She grew up in a place and time where kids played outside till dark. This quiet start gave no hint to the amazing life that she would lead, after she was married, but it was a satisfying way to grow up. She had many fond memories of her childhood, especially when her older brother Bill was involved. Unlike most big brothers, Bill included his sister with his gang of pals. Mom always said that Bill was the one doing the interesting stuff. Unfortunately for her, she was not with him the day after the diminutive bank in town was robbed. G-Men were investigating the crime, but It was Bill who found the bullet holes for which the men were looking.  

In the fall of 1949, she met Jay, and they were married that Christmas Eve. After college, Jay joined the Army, and eventually the family traveled all over the world. Life for a military family can be hair raising at times, and Jay had a knack for sometimes getting the less than usual assignments. Mary Ann, a good Army wife, was always willing to tackle the next assignment.  

When Jay was stationed in Anchorage, Alaska, Mary Ann was 8 months pregnant. This was the 50’s, and the dealings with the Russians were tense. Readiness drills were held periodically, during which military families were evacuated from their homes. These drills always seemed to take place in the wee hours. The families had to be at the ready, which included keeping a great deal of stuff on hand, all of which had to be taken on every drill. Upon arrival at the checkpoint, somebody made sure that your family had all the required food and equipment, and then you were allowed to go back home. Dad was always off on special assignments, so it fell to Mom to pack the car and round up the kids for a long drive into the icy night.  

Another interesting posting was to Asmara, Eritrea, which in those days was part of Ethiopia. Most of the time in Eritrea was peaceful, and the locals were very friendly. But on occasion things would get wooly, and you haven’t lived until you see your kids get on a school bus, guarded by soldiers with rifles.  

Outside of her family, one of her greatest joy was volunteering at her church, where she did many different things. She was a dedicated member of the Altar Guild, and considered that the care of the vestments, vessels, and linens was sacred; Jay was often her helper. For close to thirty years, they handled the Altar Guild duties at the 8 a.m. Sunday service at St. Paul’s Memorial Church in Charlottesville.  

Mary Ann and Jay also spent about 30 years as Red Cross volunteers, regularly traveling from one side of Virginia to the other, often clocking far more than 40 hours in any given week. They even enjoyed traveling at night to get to shift workers at various places around the state.  In their later years, they volunteered together at the local Habitat for Humanity store.  

Mary Ann was an accomplished musician. She studied piano for many years, and often played at church services when she was a girl. She played piano for many family sing-along sessions. Her greatest talent was her beautiful soprano voice. She trained as a singer up until she was married. For most of her life, she sang in the choir of her church, and she occasionally sang in combos in the towns where Jay was stationed. She was very proud to have sung solos for Martin Luther King, and for Emperor Haile Selassie.  

Between volunteering and music, Mary Ann designed and made clothes for her family. Much of her work was deceptively simple-looking, but demanded the hand of a master. Her children were often asked where they got their clothes.  

Mary Ann was preceded in death by Jay, her husband of 60 years, her parents and brother, Bill. She is survived by her three daughters Anne Zook and Caroline Zook of Charlottesville, Va., and Patricia Deane and her husband Brandon, of St. George, Va.  

Mary Ann will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery with Jay.