Mary Ann Nemcek, a charter member of the South Butler Fire Department Auxiliary and a former employee in the food service department of Butler School District died last Sunday at Butler Memorial Hospital. She was 77.

Known for her personality, Mrs. Nemcek had many friends.

"She was kind, very kind. I should have been as nice as she was," said Lexie Nemcek, of Naples, Fla., her daughter

"Anyone could walk in and sit down at her dining room table. Everyone always left feeling better. She had that knack."

Mrs. Nemcek, of Butler, was born Sept. 26, 1930 in Butler, the daughter of Frank and Eleanor Wick Huff.

She worked in the food service department of the Butler School District for many years, first at the middle school and then the high school, and retired more than 10 years ago.

"A lot of really great friends came out of that job," said her daughter.

Mrs. Nemcek attended the Faith Fellowship Alliance Church.

"She was a very spiritual woman," said Ms. Nemcek.

She participated in Bible studies and was active in the church up until the last five years, when she became ill and was home bound.

"But at that point, the pastor and others would come here to see her," said her daughter.

Mrs. Nemcek was a member of the AARP, the Butler County Association of School Retirees, the Pennsylvania Public School Employees and the Sixty Plus Club at the Tanglewood Senior Center.

"My mother loved to dance," said Ms. Nemcek. "She loved to go dancing with my dad, especially at the senior center."

The Sixty Plus group would meet monthly, holding a dinner and then dancing.

Mrs. Nemcek also was a charter member of the South Butler Fire Department Auxiliary.

"She actually joined when she was still in her 20s, both her and my aunt," said Ms. Nemcek. "She was active for over 30 years in it, cooking for funerals and weddings and parties, taking care of the [firemen] and doing fundraising."

She enjoyed music, and could play the piano, organ and accordion. She also enjoyed playing cards and games with her family.

"We were a big game-playing family," said Ms. Nemcek. "My mother loved playing [the card game] 500. You have to be a good strategist to play that game. She was good at it," her daughter said.

In addition to her daughter, she is survived by her husband, Joseph Nemcek, of Butler; three sons, Joseph Nemcek, of Winter Garden, Fla.; James Nemcek, of Columbus, Ohio; and Terry Nemcek, of New Brighton; two grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson; and many nieces and nephews.

Services were held Thursday at the Thompson-Miller Funeral Home in Butler. Burial followed in Greenlawn Burial Estates.