Mary Vrabel

AKRON - A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday at 11 a.m., at the Immaculate Heart Church, with the Rev. Msgr. Ken Miller as celebrant, preceded by a 10:30 a.m. prayer service at the Higgins-Reardon Funeral Homes, Austintown Chapel, for Mary E. Vrabel, 73, formerly of Youngstown's west side, who died Sunday evening at Akron Summa Hospital.
"Mary Ei" was born Oct. 13, 1942, in Youngstown, daughter of Joseph "Rex" and Margaret (Suhy) Vrabel.
Mary Ei was a graduate of Ursuline High School.
She operated her own hair salon for several years while also playing an active role at St. Stephen of Hungary Parish, where she served as the youth group leader, director of religious education, and coordinated the liturgy team. She later joined the Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, where she volunteered as an instructor in the RCIA program.
A devoted daughter, she left the work force to care for her father in 1995, and then returned to work as an activities coordinator for patients at Ashley Place. Lastly, Mary Ei provided a welcoming presence at the front desk of Pammy's Puppy Parlor in Austintown before moving to the Villa at Marian Park in Akron.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph "Rex" Vrabel and Margaret Rose Vrabel.
She is survived by her brother and sister-in-law, John and Debbie; her nephew and niece, Michael and Megan; and a great-niece and two great-nephews, Anais, Kahari, and Eli.
Her pride and delight in those three children were what kept her going as her health began to fail.
Mary Ei enjoyed outings with her beloved cousin, Ruthie and their friends from the Red Hat Society. She never passed up an opportunity to tell family stories, enjoy good Hungarian food, and get to know new people.
Family and friends may pay their respects Friday from 9:30 to 10:20 a.m. at the funeral home.
Following the Mass, interment will take place at Calvary Cemetery in Youngstown.
Please visit www.higgins-reardon.com to view this tribute and to send online condolences to the Vrabel family.