Mary Tracy Curtis, of Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on December 8, 2022 at the age of 67.
Tracy was preceded in death by her parents, William C. Curtis, MD, and Mary Beth (nee Dougherty) Curtis. In addition to her parents, Tracy was preceded in death by her stepmother, Helen (nee Berry) Curtis, and stepsister, Kate Trecker.
Tracy is survived by her six siblings, Bill (Terry), Mike (Sandie), Mark (Kathi), Tierney, Taurey (George Boxhorn) and Tyler (Tom Murphy), and three stepsisters, Mary Ames, Liz (Chuck) Wenzler, and Jenni (John) Vetter.
She is further survived by her nieces and nephews, cousins, and many friends.
Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on June 6, 1955, Tracy was the second of seven children and the eldest daughter. As more siblings arrived, Tracy was her mother’s right hand and helped care lovingly for each one.
She was a devoted daughter, sister, friend and neighbor – often putting the needs of others ahead of her own. Tracy was a tremendously gifted artist and her talents knew no limits. Whether the medium was painting, drawing, photography, needlework, ceramics, jewelry or quilting, she created and often gifted these beautiful works to family and friends. She also had an aptitude for anything mechanical. She could fix almost anything from a lamp to a car!
Tracy was an exceptional cook and enjoyed making meals for loved ones. She also excelled in the art of baking homemade pastries and desserts. Every Christmas, she made a family favorite – homemade schaum tortes – carrying on a special tradition that began with her maternal and much-loved grandmother, Peggy.
After losing her mother Mary Beth to cancer in 1975, Tracy and her older brother, Bill, were called upon to help their father in the care and keeping of the younger siblings and family home. It is during this time that Tracy honed her cooking skills in helping to feed a large family.
Tracy had a great sense of humor, and enjoyed fun (and funny) antics with friends she made across nearly seven decades. Most of her dearest and longest friendships were made in the neighborhood of her childhood home in Elm Grove as well as at the schools she attended: St. Mary’s Visitation School (Class of 1969), and Divine Savior Holy Angels High School (Class of 1973). Tracy was a proud alumna of Mount Mary University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration and fashion merchandising in 1978.
Tracy was blessed with a beautiful singing voice. Her high school friends still recall a powerful moment when she received a standing ovation during an all-school assembly after performing an a cappella rendition of the Age of Aquarius by the 5th Dimension.
Her love of music and attending concerts was a constant throughout her life. She attended hundreds of these events. Tracy’s favorite concert experiences, among many, included performances by Elton John and Paul McCartney.
Though Tracy shared many gifts with the world, she will always be remembered for her kind and generous heart. She shared treasured bonds with those closest to her, and will be dearly missed by family members and friends.
The entire Curtis family is comforted in knowing Tracy is now safe in heaven, and in the loving arms of her beloved parents.
A celebration of Tracy’s life will take place on Saturday, June 10, 2023. The Curtis family will gather for an 11:00 am graveside service at St. Mary’s Visitation Cemetery in Elm Grove, Wisconsin. All are welcome to attend either the service, the gathering following the service or both. The open house gathering is from 12 pm to 4 pm at O’Donoghue’s Irish Pub, located next to the cemetery.
If interested in honoring Tracy’s memory with a charitable donation, please consider supporting causes that mirror her lifelong service to and care for others: St. Ben’s Community Meal Program, Toys for Tots or your favorite charity.
When the Moon is in the Seventh House,
and Jupiter aligns with Mars,
then peace will guide the planets
and love will steer the stars…
