Mary Ann Nevitt

Mary Ann Nevitt, 80, of Oshkosh, died Friday, March 10, 2017 at Mercy Medical Center surrounded by her family. She will fondly be remembered as a talented singer, actress and director, a creative and loving mother, a voracious reader, and a dedicated and caring teacher.

Mary Ann was born September 30, 1936 in Green Bay, Wisconsin, the daughter of Walter and Elizabeth (DeYoung) Nitkowski. On August 22, 1960 she married Charles Nevitt, her best friend, husband, and the one who continually made her laugh. They started their life in a home they built on the shores of Lake Winnebago where they raised their four daughters. Those years were filled with much happiness and joy.

Following high school in Oshkosh, Mary Ann received a vocal scholarship to attend Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. She later transferred to Wisconsin State College (now UW-Oshkosh), where she obtained her bachelor’s degree in education. She started her career as a teacher in Green Bay. After marrying Chuck and spending a few years home with her children, Mary Ann worked as a children's librarian at the Oshkosh Public Library's Southside branch, where she started the first children's Story Time program. With her four children in tow, she spent three summers at UW-Superior, earning her Master of Arts degree.

Mary Ann was able to combine her passion for theater with her teaching background during the many years she spent teaching and directing plays and musicals at Lourdes Academy in Oshkosh. She will be remembered fondly by her many students, both in the classroom and on the stage. Years later, Mary Ann finished her career as the children’s librarian at the West Bend Library. Leading children's library programs was something she seemed to truly enjoy. Mary Ann was active in the Oshkosh Community Players during the 1960s and 1970s, serving as the president of its 27th Season. She was active in the UW-Oshkosh Alumni Association, serving a term as president.

Mary Ann is survived by her daughters, Valerie Nevitt and her children Charlie and Jane, Elizabeth “Liz or Betsey” (Jeff Binder) Nevitt and her daughter Lydia Butts, Noelle (Alan) Pelot and their children Andrew and Ella, and Polly (Peter) Hensen and her son Mitchell (Michelle) White along with her sister, Kathy “Kate” Rogge. She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Nevitt, and her brothers, Jon and James Nitkowski.

Funeral services will be held at Konrad-Behlman Funeral Home, west-side location, on Saturday, March 18, 2017. Visitation will start at 10 am until the time of service at noon.

Her family is grateful to the Mercy Medical Center ICU doctors, nurses and staff for making her final days more comfortable, and at times humorous, as Mary Ann had quite a sense of humor.