"I just learned of Mary Anne?s death and am so saddened. She was a wonderful artist and lovely human. I could see how devoted she was to her husband and family. She spoke so proudly of her grandchildren. I have such fond memories of seeing her during art openings at the art center. I remember her own art opening well and loved talking to her about her work. She will be missed. Tiina Morin"
In loving memory of
MARY ANNE KUBLIN
October 23, 1934 - December 26, 2020
Mary Anne Kublin, 86, of Marquette, passed away Saturday morning, December 26, 2020 at U.P. Health System-Marquette as a result of a stroke she suffered on Christmas Day.
Mary Anne was born on October 23, 1934 in Dallas, Texas, a daughter of the late John and Ethel (Olson) Johnson. She attended Kingswood High School in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan and graduated from Redford High School in Detroit in 1952. She then attended Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas and graduated from the Henry Ford School of Nursing in 1956. Mary Anne worked as a registered nurse at various hospitals through the years.
After retiring from nursing, Mary Anne owned a pottery studio business. She volunteered with Child and Family Services in Marquette, Covenant House in New York City and the RSVP Program.
Mary Anne was a member of St. Peter Cathedral in Marquette. She previously served on the boards of The Women's Center, Harbor House, the Lake Superior Art Association and the First Nighters Club Advisory Board at NMU.
She is survived by her beloved husband of 60 years, John G. "Jack" Kublin whom she married on June 16, 1960 at Trinity Church in Washington, DC; four children, James G. (Zara) Kublin, M.D. of Seattle, WA, Theresa (Donald) Crawley of Scottsdale, AZ; George E. (Wendy) Kublin of Cincinnati, OH and Gregory T. (Cheryl) Kublin of Marquette, MI; 10 grandchildren, August, Henno, Delphine, Abraham, Graham, Xavier, Nigel, Joshua, Leeanna (Elliot) Eckstein, and Allison; one great granddaughter, Ellenora Eckstein; one sister, Ellen Ayers of Bloomfield Hills, MI; a brother, Peter Johnson of Marquette; nieces Julie, Jodie and Jamie, and other close relatives and friends in Skandia and across the country. Preceding Mary Anne in death besides her parents was a brother, John E. Johnson on March 1, 2020.
Many of us remember Mary Anne's laughter, generosity and love. She will also be well remembered by many friends who crossed her paths as she exercised her interest in becoming an excellent bridge player and as she pursued the art of ceramics. Her grandchildren have many a story of her playing notoriously intense games of Smear and Catan where her competitive spirit reigned supreme. They also recall her gentle guidance of their smaller hands on the potter's wheel where she extolled on the challenges in life and in centering a lump of clay, with her frequent reminders that "life may not be fair or kind, but you can be."
Mary Anne was also an avid reader, skier, runner, and an occasional deckhand on the Kublin sailboat in the Trans Superior, Detroit- and Chicago-to- Mackinac races. She was intrigued by a great diversity of topics and fascinated by the many forms of psychological testing that she practiced on all her relatives, most assiduously the Meyers-Briggs type indicator on her children and grandchildren. She was baptized into the Catholic church in 1955 and continued a close connection to the sacraments and other practices as a devoted follower of the church. All of which she pursued with the ambition of knowing God and oneself.
The Kublin family will greet relatives and friends on Wednesday, December 30th from 4 to 7 p.m. at Canale-Tonella Funeral Home and Cremation Services where a parish vigil will be recited 6:15 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday at 2 p.m. in St. Peter Cathedral with the Rev. Msgr. Michael Steber officiating and Deacon Jack Leadbetter assisting. Interment will take place in the Park Cemetery. Her Funeral Mass will be live streamed at https://my.gather.app/remember/mary-anne-kublin
Those wishing to make an expression of sympathy are kindly asked to consider Habitat for Humanity, 2354 U.S. 41 South, Marquette, MI 49855 or to St. Peter Cathedral, 311 W. Baraga Ave., Marquette, MI 49855 in Mary Anne's memory.
Canale-Tonella Funeral Home and Cremation Services is assisting the Kublin family where memories of Mary Anne may be shared at canalefuneral.com.
Tributes
"I worked for Dr.Kublin years ago. He always talked so lovingly of his Mary Ann. God love you both.??"
"I worked for Dr.Kublin years ago. He always talked so lovingly of his Mary Ann. God love you both.??"
"I worked for Dr.Kublin years ago. He always talked so lovingly of his Mary Ann. God love you both.??"
"Phil & I were so sorry to hear of Mary Anne's passing. She was a very special person who will be missed. Jack, we hope all the wonderful memories you and your family have will sustain you through this difficult time."
"Dear Jack and family, what a great loss to you, but what a big and generous life she lived. I was first able to get to know Mary Ann carpooling down to Marygrove for a retreat. She said she really learned how to pray that weekend. I watched her funeral Mass on line and was so moved. God bless and comfort you all. "
"I have lived across East Michigan Street from Jack and Mary Anne for the past fourteen years, first with my wife Patricia, who died in 2011, and now with my wife Ellen. I?m looking across the street at their house as I write this. It is extremely difficult to think of both of them not being there in that beautiful house. I?m only thankful that Jack has so many of his family with him now. I can?t count the number of times I?ve been to their house for dinner. Often in the dining room, with the most interesting and gorgeous wallpaper I?ve ever seen (in any room), when they would entertain numerous guests. Dinners with a touch of Old World elegance and charm. But there have also been so many nights, particularly since my first wife died of a brain tumor back in 2011, when I would eat dinner with Jack and Mary Anne in the kitchen. Usually, they would call in the late afternoon and say they?d be sitting down to dinner in a half hour or so, and was I interested in joining them. Interested? Like a dog who hears the all too welcome sound of his bowl being filled with the evening meal, I?d drop what I was doing and scamper across the street. We?d sit at the kitchen table, just the three of us, and talk about our day. There are some people you feel right at home with?this has always been the case with Jack and Mary Anne, and dinners with Jack and Mary Anne are something I?ll always cherish. There were times when in conversation at the table I realized that Mary Anne was trying to convey to Jack that she wished he would do something in a slightly different manner. After so many years of marriage, she apparently surmised that a certain subtle approach might have the best chance of success. (Remember, she was a master at Bridge, a game that requires strategic measures.) On several occasions the subject of Jack?s yardwork was raised. If you pass through our neighborhood, you can?t help but notice that the Kublins employ the best gardener in Marquette. His name is Jack. He?s forever tending to the lawn (when it?s not buried beneath snow) and he is particularly keen on maintaining the shape of the large shrubs that border the house. Mary Anne would mention how important it was for their shrubs to be a model of topiary grace, a compliment that Jack took with his customary humility and reserve. I would chime in, noting that by comparison my front yard looked like Before while theirs looked like After. However, Mary Anne would note that she did have some concerns about Jack climbing up on a stepladder with the electric shears that he used to trim the shrubs (they are indeed tall). For some reason, Jack did not seem to hear this part of the conversation, leading Mary Anne to take a different tack (after all, both she and Jack were seasoned sailors), and she?d mention the height of the ladder, the uneven ground, the fact that the shears were sharp and powered by electricity? By way of a response, Jack might cut into his chicken or potato and compliment the dinner. It would be at this point that Mary Anne would look at me. It was neither frustration nor despondency that I saw in those bright blue eyes, but consent. I was being granted permission, a gentle form of conscription, to join with her on an important mission. This conversation, in its various forms, took place during several of our dinners (though never in March, when the snow is usually a couple of feet deep in the yard). Finally, one evening when we arrived at this point, Mary Anne mentioned something about how a fall from that stepladder might result in an injury, for instance, a broken arm. To which their neighbor, who has never mastered the subtleties of negotiated rapprochement, said, ?Jack. If I see you up on that stepladder trimming the bushes again, I?m going to come across the street and break your arm, thus saving you the trouble of the fall.? Jack looked up from his dinner and basked in Mary Anne?s smile. Anyone who has ever been in her presence knows that smile. Which we all will miss dearly. Love to you Mary Anne, and to Jack and your wonderful family. "
"Watching the video flooded me with memories of the deep sense of warmth, calm, and joy that Mary Anne brought to their home and that I experienced immediately upon entering the Kublin lair in Marquette. Watching Mary Anne and Jack served as a role model for what a relationship should be. When Amy and I visited the Kublin clan in Florida almost three decades later, Mary Anne came out with one of the recent baby grandkids in her arms, swooning, with a mile wide smile, and said something along the lines of: 'I just spent two hours in pure love with this little one on my lap...". She will be missed but has left us all better people."
"So sad when a beacon of light is removed from this earth. We remember Mary Ann fondly from the Marquette Cotillion Club! God bless you Jack and family Steve and Deborah Wissler"
"We were so sorry to hear of Mary Anne's passing. She was always so cheerful and kind, and a very loving and supportive mother. Our thoughts are with you. John and Rosa Diddams"
"Jack, Jim, Pete and family - we were so sorry to hear of Mary Anne's passing. We pray that your memories will help you all get thru the grief - knowing that she is rejoicing with the Lord in heaven above. She was always so kind and had a wonderful laugh. We will miss seeing her. Tom & Gloria Nancarrow"
"Dear Jack, Theresa & Family - I was so sorry to hear of Mary Anne?s passing. I enjoyed my years of tutoring in your family & Mary Anne had every faith in me & my abilities. She w as always very gracious to me, with a gentle soul. May memories of better times together bring you all some comfort and peace..... Laura McNabb Goodney"
"My deepest sympathies go out to you Jack, and to the rest of your family. Mary Anne and I worked together in the Surgical Unit at MGH. I can honestly say I never saw her be anything but kind. She was a lovely person who I Will remember very fondly. You are in my prayers at this sad time."
"Jack and family. So sorry for your loss. Mary Anne was a very special person who touched many lives. "
"Oh one of nicest people in my art world,, u will be greatly missed...I was with you I'm 9/11 when the towers were hit.. a lifelong memory..you are welcomed with open arms in the world you just entered...loved you..so sorry jack..I know she was your world.."
"Mary Anne Kublin was a dear and thoughtful friend. Mary Anne had so many skills. I loved her pottery for its creative glazes and the touches of nature in her designs. She loved classical music and worked to support Pine Mountain Music Festival hosting receptions and fund raisers and ushering. She was so well read. What wonderful discussions you could have with Mary Anne. . Even if your views differed greatly from hers, she listened with respect. Differences in opinions did not jeopardize a friendship. She was such a warm and gracious host. I loved her laugh. That I will miss most."
"Jack and family: Mary Anne was a great role model and became a big influence in my life. First by hiring me as a sitter when I was in 6th grade and lived right around the corner from your beautiful house. She also came with me to school for mother-daughter day baking since my mom was working. When I was teaching at NMU and operating Chez Nous restaurant with my students she was a regular guest and praised me for how much I had achieved in life. I will never forget her."
"Brad Cory and I are greatly saddened to hear of Mary Anne?s passing. I was a new teacher in town at Parkview and then Graveraet, and she could not have been more supportive. I remember thinking what a beautiful and gracious woman. I adored her children Jim,Theresa , George, and Greg. How lucky we in Marquette were to have this wonderful woman in our community. Please know that we are thinking of you Jack and your beautiful family during this very sad time. I cherish the memories . "
"Jack, Theresa and family. So sorry to hear about your mother. God Bless!"
"Dear Jack and family, We were sad to hear of Mary Ann?s passing . She was a delightful lady and we were privileged to enjoy her gracious hospitality in your beautiful home through Pine Mountain Music Festival. We send our love to you and pray that the Lord will comfort you at this time. Love, Diane and Charlie Eshbach "
"Dear Jack and Family: We are greatly saddened to learn of Mary Anne's return to her Heavenly Father. Be assured of our prayers for her eternal happiness, and our prayers and support in your time of loss. God Bless you and Grant you Peace. Pat and Patty Brennan"
"To Jack, Jim, Theresa, George, Greg and families, we are sorry for the loss of your wife, mother and grandmother. Mary Anne was always very kind and giving. We have many memories over the years running back and fourth on Cedar street! We pray that the passing of time will help heal the hurt as your memories fill your hearts. Love Sabin/Neimi/Scannell families"
"Jack and Mary Anne's children and family, I am so sad to hear about Mary Ann, shocked is more like it. I just played bridge with her about a month ago---I always marveled at how she never seemed to age. I've known Mary Anne almost 40 years---she took care of me when I had kidney surgery and she was so smart, kind and caring and what a wonderful nurse. She loved her family---and the family kept growing---she was so proud of all of you. She truly was one of the nicest people I've ever met. My prayers are with all of you. Carole Poggi"
"To Jack and the Kublin Family, I am very sorry for your loss. Mary Anne was always full of fun and laughter. Her serious moments had depth and were worthy of discussion. Her faith was an important part of her life. She was the life of the party! Mary Anne will be missed by so many people; she touched so many lives. Prayers for you. Colleen Roberts"
"To Jack and to Mary Anne?s children, her brother Pete and all of her family, I am so very sorry to hear of Mary Anne?s passing. I spoke with her just a few days ago. She was a kind and interesting woman and so easy to talk to. I know she will be sorely missed by many, including all of her bridge friends."