Mary Ann Toupal
Mary Ann Toupal passed away on Saturday, October 9, 2021, just one day shy of her 91st birthday. By her side when she entered into her Heavenly home were her caregivers, daughter Jeanette and her husband Jeff along with granddaughter Erika and her husband Gage.
She was born to Charles Vincent Slovacek and Mary Barbara (Vrana) Slovacek on Friday, October 10, 1930 in Ennis, Texas. At birth she was given the name Mary Margaret but later changed it to Mary Ann because she said the name Margaret was too long and too hard to spell. She was a wonderful, loving, and devoted daughter, wife, mother and grandmother. Her family loved her dearly and she was a special blessing to all who knew her.
Mary Ann grew up on the family farm in Telico along with sister Charlene. She attended St. John Catholic School in Ennis graduating with the Class of 1949. She often told stories of living with the nuns at the convent during the week while attending school and would go home on the weekend to be with her family. On November 25, 1950, Mary Ann married the love of her life, Raymond Benny Toupal, at St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church in Ennis. Their love for one another was inseparable and they were blessed with 47 years of marriage until Raymond’s passing on April 12, 1998.
Mary Ann was a homemaker. She also worked by her husband’s side on the Toupal family farm. The farm became their life, something they took great pride in together. Raising their four children on the farm, they instilled hard work values in each of them. Even after the passing of her husband, Mary Ann continued to work on the farm, raising animals until the age of 87. She was truly a hard worker and proud of her Czech heritage. She was a woman of simplicity, strength, and determination. Mary Ann was known to be very independent. She was a person who gave from her heart. Her sweet, gentle smile was infectious.
Mary Ann enjoyed many things in life. Gardening was one of them. She would can and freeze fruits and vegetables for the family to enjoy from season to season. She was a wonderful cook and taught her children and grandchildren how to cook many of the Czech recipes. She enjoyed crocheting, saying it was her way to relax after a day of hard work. Often she would give many of her beautiful crochets as gifts for weddings, birthdays, or to family and friends. Later in life she found joy in baking pecan pies, taking orders during the holidays so people could enjoy her delicious dessert.
Mary Ann was a devout Catholic who was strong in her faith and Catholic beliefs. She was a member of St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church in Ennis. She loved God, her church, and her church family. She attended church daily and spent countless hours praying the rosary and praying for loved ones. Mary Ann was a member of the KJZT Society 16, KJT Society 35, and The Catholic Slovak Ladies Association.
Left to cherish Mary Ann’s memory are her four children: Ramona Dlabaj, Nancy Clark, Raymond Toupal and wife Tracy, all of Ennis, and Jeanette Frazier and husband Jeff of Waxahachie. Twelve grandchildren: Robert Guthrie (Stacy), Paula Lay (Michael), Rebekka Clago (Craig), Kelsey Regier (Jake), Jeremie Salik, Bradley Salik (Stacy), Rae Anne Richardson (Eddie), Marshal Clark, Rachel Toupal (fiancé Scout Young), Jonathan Boyd (Sonia), Erika Roland (Gage), Colt Frazier, and Jake Frazier. She is also survived by twenty-two great grandchildren.
She is preceded in death by her husband, parents, and sister.
Visitation will be held at J.E. Keever Mortuary in Ennis, Texas on Tuesday, October 19, 2021 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with Rosary at 7:00 p.m.
Mass for Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, October 20, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. in St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church in Ennis, Texas with Father James Yamauchi as celebrant. Interment will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery immediately following. Pallbearers will be her grandsons: Robert Guthrie, Jeremie Salik, Bradley Salik, Marshal Clark, Colt Frazier, and Jake Frazier.
The family would like to thank Midlothian Health Care Facility and all the staff for their constant care, love, compassion, and understanding they showed our mother as she called it home from April 2, 2019 to October 9, 2021. A special thank you to mother’s hairdresser in the facility, Hillary Dugas, who graciously gave of her time to style our mother’s hair, and to Sue Anne Malone-Colbert, mother’s special care companion prior to COVID.
In Lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Layman’s Catholic Cemetery Trust.
