Mary Annette Polnick

Mary Annette Polnick was born on August 26, 1951, to Erwin and Jean Meimerstorf in Fort Smith, Arkansas, and entered her heavenly home on February 3, 2012. A memorial service will be held on Monday, February 6, 2012 at First Baptist Church at 4:00 pm with Dr. Cliff Stewart and the Rev. Janice Six officiating under the direction of Piersall Benton Funeral Home. Visitation will be Sunday, February 5th, at First Central Presbyterian Church from 2:00 to 4:00 pm. At a later date, she will be laid to rest in the Columbarium of First Central Presbyterian Church. She has donated her brain to the Southwestern Alzheimer’s Disease Center in hopes of finding treatments and cures for other individuals with progressive brain diseases such as Frontotemporal Dementia.

Mary Ann was confirmed in the Lutheran Church on April 11, 1965. She married Dr. David Polnick on August 11, 1973, after her graduation from Concordia Teachers College. She had a passion for children and education. She was a lifetime educator, teaching her first three years in Lutheran parochial school, one year with Lubbock ISD, and 31 years in the Abilene Independent School District. She spent countless hours teaching by example, guiding, and encouraging children to reach their fullest potential and to fulfill their goals and dreams.

Her 38-year marriage to David was blessed with two children, Julie of Dallas, Texas, and Benjie and his wife Kimberly of Waco, Texas, who have two boys, Creighton and Griffin. Mary Ann’s greatest joy came from spending time with her family and those she loved. Her family was the light of her life but Creighton and Griffin turned that light into a spotlight. Benjie owns Visiting Angels and Julie has followed in her mother’s footsteps teaching school in Coppell, Texas.

Mary Ann was preceded in death by her parents Erwin and Jean Meimerstorf. She is survived by her husband, David, of the home, daughter Julie, son Benjie and his wife Kimberly, and grandsons Creighton and Griffin. She is also survived by two brothers James Meimerstorf and his wife Cheryl, Mickey Meimerstorf and his wife Pam, and sister Carol Meimerstorf. In addition, she leaves behind one surviving uncle, the Reverend Jim Hennig, and one aunt, Mildred Burgess, along with a large extended family as well as many friends.

The family would like to thank Ginger Neal of Visiting Angels and Hendrick Hospice for their assistance during the last months of her life. They also want to thank the physicians at Southwestern in Dallas for their efforts in finding a cure to Alzheimer's, FTD, and other progressive brain diseases. The family prays that Mary Ann's participation in their research will in some small way assist Dr. Womack, Doris, and his staff in finding a cure. In addition, the family would like to thank everyone for their prayers and support during Mary Ann’s life and illness.

In lieu of flowers the family respectfully requests donations be made to the Abilene Education Foundation, P.O. Box 1999, Abilene, Texas 79604 to provide support for teacher grants or Hendrick Hospice, 1682 Hickory St, Abilene, 79602. Condolences may be offered to the family online at www.pbfuneraldirectors.com