Mary Alice Dykstra

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Mary Alice Dykstra, age 86 of Houston, passed away peacefully Friday May 1, 2020 with her devoted daughters by her side. She was born December 4, 1933 in Canonsburg, daughter of the late Joseph and Mary Kadora Sifinski. Mary Alice was a 1951 graduate of Canonsburg High School.  As the head cheerleader, her effervescent personality and perkiness earned the nickname “Bunny”. Even into her eighties she was still able to do a V-I-C-T-O-R-Y cheer with her sister Shirley.  After catching the attention of Jim Dykstra, who swept her off her feet, she became a “coach’s’ wife” spending many Friday nights cheering from the bleachers. Together they had two daughters, Kathy and Jan, who gifted them with five grandchildren.   They were the highlights of her life, as she was quick to share her pride in their successes and slip them a twenty or two.  She loved them passionately and they would say the same about her.  Mary Alice and Jim had many happy years of marriage.  Mary Alice was proud of the fact that she was payroll clerk for the entire plant at Ball Glass until her retirement.  After retirement, they had many travels including Holland and winters spent in Florida. They enjoyed family and many friends.  Jim passed away suddenly in 1998.  Her enthusiasm for living and newfound hobby of dancing provided additional chapters to her life when she met Bill Metz, who later became her fiancé. They danced their way into each other’s hearts and were devoted companions, fishing, gardening, keeping bees and cooking together. They were the envy of everyone on the dance floor, and Lakeland Florida became their second home.  After Bill passed away,  Mary Alice and Shirley spent much “Sister” time together and were regulars at the Canonsburg Senior Citizens Center BINGO days where she carried her big brown purse (Brownie) loaded with bingo chips and a bag of curlers, ready for a win.  They had so much fun together and had precious time to solidify their sisterly bond. In her final months, Mary Alice spent her time at Jan and Jim’s where they opened their home and provided a comfy bedroom, good food, forbearance, immense loving devotion and a fury friend Macie. Their dedication provided Mary Alice many extra months of good times and gave Kathy great peace of mind knowing her mom was taken care of with grace and the patience of angels.  Mary Alice was a faithful member of the First United Presbyterian Church in Houston. She was generous to the poor, compassionate to those who were hurting, forgiving of the guilty and helpful to anyone in need. Her skill to communicate with people from all walks of life showcased her love of human interaction and unbiased view of the world.  She was the inspiration behind the “nestegg” that Trinity Middle school students enjoyed making in Mrs. Maund’s FCS class for decades.   Left behind to cherish her memory are her beloved daughters Kathy (Thomas) Heisler and Jan (Jim) Maund, loving sister Shirley (Ron) Pratten, Five precious grandchildren Rachael (Mike) Heisler, Andrew (Shenel) Heisler, Jimmy, Ben and Alyson Maund, brothers and sisters in law nieces and nephews who will miss her dearly. Deceased in addition to her parents and husband is her brother Joseph Sifinski. In lieu of flowers, consider an anonymous donation to someone in need. There are endless opportunities to selflessly help others. Mary Alice would smile knowing that her earthly acts of generosity are continuing. She will forever be in our hearts, always part of us and will dance her way into heaven in a beautiful swirly dress with sparkly jewelry and fancy shoes. We can only imagine who gets the first dance.

Private family visitation (limited to 10 persons) will take place in Salandra Funeral and Cremation Services, Inc. Joseph P. Salandra LFD owner/supervisor 304 West Pike Street Canonsburg 724-745-8120. A Celebration of Mary Alice’s Life and services with reverend Gary Gibson officiating, will be held at 11 am, Wednesday May 6, 2020 and LIVE STREAMED for friends and family through the funeral home website at www.salandrafunerals.com. Interment will follow in Forest Lawn Gardens, McMurray. To also view or extend condolences please visit www.salandrafunerals.com.