Birth date: Sep 28, 1942 Death date: Oct 23, 2021
Mary Katharine (Downs) Derck (Mary Kay) passed away on October 23, 2021 after a long battle with Systemic Scleroderma, an extremely rare autoimmune disease. Mary was born at home in Metamora, MI to Bertha van Eldik Downs and Rober Read Obituary
I am so sad to hear of Mary Kay’s passing, we kept in touch via email about every three or four months for the last 10 years and I always looked forward to getting her very newsy emails. My prayers and thoughts are with her family and I will remember her dearly. We both grew up in Metamora not far from each other, fond memories.
so sorry for your loss Janet , prayers of comfort !
I was one of the very lucky but few students that sat in her classroom since she only taught for two years. Mary, or Mrs. Derck as we knew her, was my fifth grade teacher and I think we all loved her. I don't have any specific memories of classes, just a general feeling that it was a very good year. She loved all of us. She was tickled by her students. She did everything with an open heart and calm demeanor. She created a safe and positive environment - an excellent environment for learning and growing.
I don't know how it came to pass that we got back in touch in a bigger way. Probably Facebook helped with that. But she's been a friend for years now. She came to California where I live and we were able to spend some time together. I popped in on her one day at her home Lapeer unexpectedly (or so I thought - she knew I was in town darn it!).
I always enjoyed seeing her but it was rare to see her in person. I mostly experienced her on Facebook where I could always count on her to like, if not comment on, my posts. She posted too and I always appreciated that she always had something thoughtful and meaningful to say. She never once posted a picture of what she ate for breakfast, for example. She was passionate about society and our country and how we were doing. She cared deeply and posted things that made you think. She was still a teacher, I guess.
She also appreciated the simple things. She loved watching the birds outside her window. She loved living in the country where her view included trees and critters instead of asphalt and street signs. She had a good life that she seemed to enjoy. Even after her illness, she stayed active. I never heard anger or resentment about her sickness. She seemed to take it in stride. You almost couldn't tell from afar how much she must have struggled.
I realize that I have taken her for granted. I feel like she's been this steady presence in my life. Someone I could have counted on for anything. With her gone, I realize how comforting it was to have her there - still encouraging me just like she did in 5th grade. I'm sad I won't be able to see her again or hear her speak passionately about right and wrong, or listen to her just being plain sensible.
I wish I'd let her know how much I appreciated her and pray she knows now, if she didn't before. Thanks Mrs. Derck, Mary, for everything. You're the best.
