Maryann Seigel passed away on Nov. 30, 2012. She resided in a most beautiful part of NW Portland in the state of Oregon. Her daughters: Karen and Wendy, family and dear friends are mourning the loss of such a unique and beautiful person.
Maryann was born in 1932, in Jamestown N.Y., later moving to Detroit, Mich. She attended Wayne State University in Detroit, earning a degree in teaching. Upon graduation, she taught elementary school in inner city Detroit.
She later returned to New York and held positions there in state government. She served in the Tri-State Commission during Gov. Carey's administration, then in the Department of Agriculture, prior to relocating to California, and then to Portland, Ore., to be closer to her family.
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Maryann Seigel
Maryann was an artist. She had a flair for design that was expressed in each of her homes. Notably, she beautified each of her residences so strikingly on a shoestring budget that they might have been photographed for Architectural Digest. She enjoyed reading, especially history and biography, and had an avid interest in politics and current events. During her work on gubernatorial campaigns, she met many prominent politicians and people in the arts.
Her warm personality drew loyal family and friends with whom she maintained close relationships throughout her life. Her cousin, Samuel Gerace of Pittsburgh wrote, "Hers was a life of incalculable hardship, suffering, courage, tenacity, and most of all giving, laughing and loving. How she loved her daughters and granddaughter, Hannah was a joy to see."
Maryann bequeathed her body to the Body Donation Program at Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) for the purpose of educating medical professionals and contributing to research. William E. Cameron, executive director of the OHSU Body Donation Program is quoted as saying, "This gift is like no other and its significance is profound to medical education."
She is survived by her daughters: Karen Malach of Los Angeles, and Wendy Vasta of San Francisco; her granddaughter Hannah Malach; sons-in-law: Matthew Malach and Patrick Vasta; as well as numerous cousins, including Josephine Pasciullo of Saratoga Springs, N.Y.; who was as close as a sister would be to Maryann. Family members residing in the Jamestown area are cousins: Judge Joseph Gerace of Lakewood, and Tina Trusso of Falconer. She was preceded in death by her parents, Sandra and Joseph Ceci; and her brother, Frank Ceci.