Mary Ann Dombrink-Kurtzman
Obituary
Mary Ann Dombrink-Kurtzman was a caring wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend. She passed
away Saturday, March 11, 2023 in Chicago, IL at the age of 84.
She was born on August 11, 1938 in Oakland, CA, the daughter of the late Mary and Henry Dombrink, Jr.
She married Cletus P. Kurtzman on August 4, 1962.
Surviving are her children, Mary (Thomas) Heffernan of Chicago, IL, Mark (Sharon) Kurtzman of
Riverwoods, IL, and Michael (Meehyun) Kurtzman of San Rafael, CA. Also surviving are five
grandchildren, her sister Kathleen Dombrink of St. Louis, MO, brother John Dombrink (Maya Dunne) of
Laguna Beach, CA, brother-in-law Jeff Green of Oakland, CA and her sister-in-law Carol Kurtzman of
Sebring, FL and many extended family members and friends. She was predeceased by her husband
Cletus P. Kurtzman, sister Patricia Dombrink, brother Henry Dombrink and granddaughter Terese
Heffernan.
Mary Ann earned her undergraduate degree from Holy Names University, her master’s degree from
Purdue University and her Ph.D. from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Mary Ann dedicated
the majority of her career to working as a research chemist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture-ARS
in Peoria, IL, focused on food safety. She authored many research works, receiving more than 1,000
citations. In addition to raising a family and enjoying a successful career, Mary Ann was also actively
involved in a number of causes. She was a member of the League of Women Voters, worked for the
passage of the Equal Rights Amendment and volunteered at the George Washington Carver Community
Center which focused on the education and development of under-privileged children.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Mary Ann’s name may be given to the Purdue University, Women in
Science Programs, designed to build a sense of belonging, facilitate relationships, share information, and
provide support that enhances the personal and professional identities of women in science.
(https://connect.purdue.edu/s/givenow?dids=009259&sort=1&appealcode
A celebration of Mary Ann’s life will be held on Saturday, May 20 th , 2023. The day will begin
with chapel prayers at 10:30am, held within the Chapels and Administration Complex building at
All Saints Cemetery, 700 N. Rand Rd., Des Plaines, IL 60016 (Please use cemetery office
parking lot upon arrival). An interment at the gravesite will follow. A reception will be held from
noon – 3:00pm at Paulie’s Neighborhood Restaurant & Wine Bar, The Glen Town Center at
1820 Tower Dr., Glenview, IL 60026. To share memories and condolences with the family,
please visit https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/legacyremembers/mary-ann-dombrink-
kurtzman-obituary?id=51566214.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mary Ann Dombrink-Kurtzman, please visit our floral store.
