"Mary Ann was a great colleague and friend. She always had a big smile on her face and was always encouraging. She was a beloved teacher, mentor, and speech language pathologist. We will all miss her. W. Paul Hardee"
In loving memory of
Mary Ann Acevedo
May 17, 1943 - September 2, 2020
Dr. Mary Ann Acevedo, 77, beloved mother and sister, was called to her eternal rest on September 2, 2020. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ezequiel (Ed) and Josephine Acevedo, husband, Howard Dax McCracken, and sisters, Camille and Ellen Acevedo. Mary Ann was born in Austin, TX and was a proud Longhorn who earned 3 degrees from UT Austin, culminating in a Ph.D. in speech pathology. While living & working in Austin, she met her husband, Dax McCracken. She is survived by her sisters, Nelda Acevedo, Loretta Acevedo and her husband, Stephen Stein, brother-in-law, Dean Beebe; daughter, Megan and her husband, Dr. Walter (Jimmy) Shuham, granddaughters, Josephine and Penelope Shuham; step-son, Dax and his wife, Jennifer McCracken, granddaughters, Madeleine, Vivienne, Mary Margaret, and Elizabeth McCracken; step-daughter, Marci DeClaris, grandchildren, Alexandra, and her husband, David Moradi, Victoria, and Cole DeClaris, and great grandchildren, Noah and Scarlett Moradi; step-daughter, Margaret McCracken, and her husband, Joel Plotch, and grandson, Solomon Plotch.
A professor of communication disorders, Dr. Mary Ann Acevedo spent a 20+ year career at Our Lady of the Lake University. She served OLLU with distinction. For more than a decade, she was the Department Chair of the Communication Disorders Program and directed the Harry Jersig Speech and Hearing Clinic. Dr. Acevedo was also an active member of the American Speech & Hearing Association (ASHA) and Texas Speech & Hearing Association (TSHA). Personally, Mary Ann enjoyed reconnecting with high school friends at St. Mary's Academy (of Austin) reunions and volunteering at the St. John Neumann Catholic Church's Food Pantry.
Mayor, as her sisters lovingly called her, was playful, young at heart, and a big sister to the end. She was kind, patient, and forgiving. Mary Ann had a way of focusing on the important things in life, avoided grudges, and did not let herself be guided by negativity or anger. She exemplified finding the high road. She bled burnt orange and was a fervent Lady Longhorn supporter and lifelong Democrat.
Mary Ann died peacefully in her sleep of natural causes. Until the very end she maintained her vivacity for life through weekly Zoom calls with family, pool parties with her sisters, and avoidance of linking emails to her phone.
Our family is so grateful for the love and attention by Michael and Hye Cha Ansley, parents of her son-in-law, and fast friends with Mary Ann since day one.
Please remember to vote and Hook 'em Horns!
Services Information:
We will not be conducting a rosary memorial. Please say a prayer or rosary in Mary Ann's honor on Tuesday, Sept 8 or whenever you see fit. https://www.scripturalrosary.org/MelissaSorrowful.html.
Sadly, due to the current pandemic, the funeral mass and burial will be a small, private ceremony. However, family and friends are invited to watch the services online. Please tune in via Facebook Live Stream on Wednesday, September 9 at 10 am CST to watch the mass. Link to be provided. The stream will be live and not recorded.
An in-person memorial mass will be held in San Antonio on Monday, September 14 at 11:30 am. Unfortunately, the Shuham family will be unable to attend. Please gather at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, 6680 Crestway Dr; San Antonio, TX 78239. Masks are required.
Please consider a donation to OLLU in Mary Ann's name in lieu of flowers: https://secure.touchnet.com/C21205_ustores/web/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCTID=69&SINGLESTORE=true
Tributes
" I have only had one class with you Dr. Acevedo, but I will always remember your presence as you walked in the hallway with that purposeful walk and the feeling that I had of not wanting to let you down when I did my presentation =). God bless you, your family, and the people you have touched."
"Dr. Acevedo was one of my first graduate school professors, and one of the best I ever had - I still think of her when dealing with articulation or phonological processes! I was so sorry to hear of her passing, but she will be remembered by legions of speech-language pathologists who were lucky enough to have her as a teacher. She was not only an outstanding teacher and clinician, but she was a lot of fun as well! My heartfelt condolences to her family."
"Dr. Acevedo, you were an inspiration to so many. Thank you for making my experience in grad school a positive one. May God bless your soul and may you rest in peace. Lynda "
" You will truly be missed Dr. A but your professiinalism, knowledge and sarcasm lives on through us!!!! Thank u for always believing jn me even when I didnt believe in myself!!!! You are the reason I am an SLP!!!!!"
"This lady was my first boss at the Jersig Center and she taught me everything I knew. She was an amazing boss and friend. I will miss her very much. Cindy Davila"
"Mary Ann you were a model of humility, excellence, persistence, dedication for us all. I benefited from you throughout our years at OLLU. When we see each other next let?s share a laugh. May you Rest In Peace. Anthony P Salvatore "
"You will never know how many lives you made a difference in- mind included. As my professor in Grad School, you really taught me how to understand why what we do and how we approach our field is so important. It was a pleasure to have you as a student and to have gained so much knowledge from you. You were a great professor and mentor. You will be truly be deeply missed. May you Rest In Peace Dr. A. "
"Mary Ann will be greatly missed. She hired me on at OLLU 12 years ago. She was a distinguished scholar, trusty colleague, outstanding department chair and faithful friend who positively influenced everyone she met. Although I?m a Florida Gator, I don?t mind putting up the Horns for MA. Rest in peace, great lady! "
"Megan-I am so sorry to hear of your mom?s passing. She was my professor at OLLU and made me her teaching assistant for a semester. She was a remarkable and kind woman who helped me achieve my goal as a speech pathologist. You probably don?t remember but you hung out with my daughter Avery sometimes while I was in class. I?m sure your children were the lights of her life these past years. She loved her family so and was so proud of you! God bless you and your family and give you strength during this difficult time. ???"
"Dr. A knew how to always bring the best in all her students. She made it her job to know each one of us individually. She made the Jersig center a second home for me and I was delighted to spend my under grad and grad school days there. She made a difference and I?m grateful to have been touched by the light she radiated. "
"I am so sorry for your loss. Mary Ann was a mentor, colleague, and friend who I will miss very much. She was a wonderful person and she lived an awesome life filled with love and an appreciation for enjoying good times with family and friends. She loved her family, and friends and was guided by faith. Much love and God Bless ya?ll, Rosie"
"Mom (Mary Rosales), Glenn and myself are so very sorry for your loss. Mary Ann was amazing! She was kind, generous, and loved very much. Love y\'all , Yolanda"